La Dame aux Camélias
Alphonse Mucha
La Dame aux Camélias
lithograph
November 1898
An original Alphonse Mucha lithograph print.
(The Lady of the Camellias)
November 1898
Original lithograph printed in colors on wove paper
Signed on the stone lower left Mucha.
A superb impression of the definitive state, from the edition on this paper (there was also a small edition on Japan paper). Transcribed from Mucha’s 1896 poster of the same title by artisans at Atelier Chéret and issued as plate 144 (of 256) in the series Le Maîtres de l’Affiche, bearing the blindstamp of the program (Lugt 1777c) in the sheet lower right. Published by Jules Chéret: printed at Impremiere Chaix (Atelier Chéret), Paris.
Catalog: Masters of the Poster pl. 144.
Size Image: 13 7/8 x 5 1/2 inches
Sheet Size: 15 1/2 x 11 1/4 inches
Sarah Bernhardt considered La Dame aux Camélias by Alexandre Dumas to be the key drama in her repertoire. Bernhardt played the title role, the courtesan Camille who is dying of consumption and releases her lover from his promise to marry her.
Mucha captures the tradgedy of the tale with shocking impact. The grief-stricken heroine leans wearily against a balustrade and is flanked by a background of silver stars. In her hair is a white camelia. Another camelia, this time symbolising death, is held up by a hand at the bottom of the poster. This smooth-stemmed plant contrasts with the thorny roses piercing the hearts at the top of the design, evoking the play’s principal theme – love’s ultimate sacrifice.
This poster became one of Bernhardt’s favourites, and she used this design for her American tour in 1905-1906 and 1910-1911.
