Laurel* by Alfons Mucha

The refined union of classical mythology and modern graphic design characterizes the most beautiful decorative research of Alphonse Mucha within the Art Nouveau movement. This tight decorative panel delicately integrates the poetic title “Laurel” in a layout of remarkable harmony. Through the majestic profile of this contemplative muse, the artist develops a graphic language of great formal purity where flora allies with a rigorous geometric structure.

A superb brunette woman with a haughty head posture is represented in left profile. Her hair is elegantly braided into a low bun, topped with an heraldic crown of green laurel leaves and berries, held by a wide red band from which descend long purple ribbons along her shoulders. She fits harmoniously into a central circular medallion with a background decorated with a splendid geometric mosaic with green, pink and gold tiles. This perfect circle is itself framed by a square border decorated with stylized floral patterns made of laurel leaves crossing gracefully in the corners, creating an intimate and perfectly balanced square framing.

The artist’s craft-like meticulousness shines in the goldsmith work achieved on the textures of the mosaics and the veins of the leaves. Mucha employs an outline of absolute sharpness to define each detail with strength and readability. This lithographic work confirms his virtuosity in the arrangement of soft colored palettes and perfect geometric compositions.