Born in 1860, Alphonse Mucha grew up in Moravia—now part of the Czech Republic—amid a climate of intense Czech nationalism. As a young artist, he designed posters for patriotic rallies. “For me, the notions of painting, going to church, and music are so closely knit,” he said. In 1866, following two years spent in Munich, he moved to Paris and began doing illustrations for magazines such as La Vie Populaire. Mucha’s breakthrough came in 1894 when the French stage actress Sarah Bernhardt recruited him to design theatrical posters for Gismonda, La Tosca, Medea, and Hamlet. His ornate compositions, sinuous lines, and ethereal depictions of women—hallmarks of the Art Nouveau style—captivated the public and confirmed his reputation. This exhibition presents 100 works by Mucha. —Elena Clavarino