Born in 1860 in the small Moravian town of Ivančice, Mucha came of age in an era of nationalistic consciousness, a reaction against the increasing Germanization of Czech culture. He saw art as a means of responding to his nation’s need for cultural representation.
His talents eventually caught the eye of two local counts, who helped him gain formal training in Munich, and later in Paris.
He was working as an illustrator there, when in 1894 the legendary stage actress Sarah Bernhardt commissioned Mucha to design a poster for Gismonda, a Greek melodrama she was to star in and direct.
The poster caused a sensation when it appeared in Paris in January 1895. Bernhardt invited Mucha to serve as artistic director of her theater, designing posters, stage sets, costumes, and jewelry for her productions. He created an additional six posters for Bernhardt. These works contributed in creating the image of “The Divine Sarah” in the public imagination.
He died in July 14, 1939 at the age of 79.