Quadriptych The Arts by Alfons Mucha

A celestial poetry and a bewitching mysticism permeate this sumptuous decorative ensemble composed of four vertical compositions dedicated to the stars of the night. Produced with a raw sensitivity by Alphonse Mucha, this masterly suite entitled “Quadriptych The Arts” transforms nocturnal lights into female allegories of rare elegance. The work flourishes at the peak of the symbolist movement, exploiting sinuous curves and fluid drapes to captivate the viewer’s gaze.

The quadriptych presents four graceful women inscribed within circular medallions decorated with complex geometric patterns or starry constellations. The first red-haired figure, represented from the back, turns her face upwards in a dynamic twisting movement amidst pink veils. The second silhouette, in a translucent white gown, seems to float serenely before a silvery lunar disc. The third woman, wearing purple flowers, sits gracefully with a shining crescent moon behind her. The last panel reveals a silhouette crowned with green laurel, shielding her eyes under a starry night sky.

The illustrator’s talent shines in the exceptional rendering of textile transparencies and the absolute fluidity of body movements. His mastery of color lithography makes it possible to obtain harmonies of soft and muted hues of an immense technical quality. It is a masterpiece of graphic craftsmanship.