All about the Belle Epoque: Delicate illustration that defined an era With his instantly recognizable decorative style, Czech artist and Art Nouveau masterAlphonse Mucha (1860 1939) defined the look of the fin-de-siecle. In evocative shades of peach, gold, ochre and olive, hisseductive compositions of patterns, flowers, and beautiful womenbecame paradigms of the Belle Epoque years.Mucha's work permeated illustration, posters, postcards, and advertising designs of his day. His striking posters ofstar actress Sarah Bernhardtwere particularly famous. Alongside this delicate decorative work, Mucha also harbored committedhumanist idealsandnationalist beliefs. With monumental works such asThe Slav Epic, he expressed his staunch support for Pan-Slavism, promoting the political independence of the Czech and Slavic nations from the Austro-Hungarian Empire.This book presents key works from Mucha's distinctive oeuvre to introduce an artist who, with few rivals, distilled the spirit of an age. About the Series: Each book in TASCHEN s Basic Art series features: a detailed chronological summary of the life and oeuvre of the artist, covering his or her cultural and historical importance a concise biography approximately 100 illustrations with explanatory captions "