The stunning and enchanting designs of Czech Artist Alphonse Mucha (1860-1939) are on exhibit in “Mucha: Expanding Art Nouveau” at the Lake County Discovery Museum, now through Aug. 25.
Granted that the Discovery Museum’s Curt Teich Postcard Archives are internationally known, you still might not think of the archives as a source for an Art Nouveau show.
Hoever, New York actor John High who assembled an important collection of Mucha postcards, donated them to the museum so they would be seen by the public yet knowledgeably protected.
In addition to postcards, the collection included rare Mucha-designed objects ranging from books and posters to lithographs, plates and currency.
An eye-catching build-out at the back of the exhibition room is a replica of the Paris jewelry shop façade that Mucha designed for George Fouquet. A nearby display case has paper money Mucha had designed for what is now the Czech Republic.
“Mucha’s impact on Art Nouveau was broad. He expanded Art Nouveau designs to tins, furniture, buildings and jewelry,” said Archives Coordinator Heather Johnson.
As noted in last year's blockbuster Milwaukee Art Museum exhibition, Art Nouveau is all about design. Its flowing, graceful style became a favorite way to advertise products such as chocolate and entertainment venues and dates. Indeed, Mucha was Sarah Bernhardt’s choice for posters announcing her appearances.
Many of the Mucha pieces are in the museum’s special exhibit area. However, more objects are in the permanent Curt Teich exhibition room to the right that is guarded by Paul Bunyan. Together, the temporary and permanent displays give a good idea of the decorative beauty of Art Nouveau.
Details: The exhibition runs through August 25 For more information call 847-968-3400 and visit Lake County Discovery Museum.
The Lake County Discovery Museum is in the Lakewood Forest preserve on Route 176, west of Fairfield Road east of Wauconda.
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