Alphonse Mucha's Austria at the World Expo Postcard

A reproduction of a vintage image shows Alphonse Mucha's Austria at the World Expo. ALPHONSE MUCHA (1860-1939) OESTERREICH AUF DER WELTAUSSTELLUNG / PARIS 1900. 1899. This image is virtually unique among Mucha's work, as it does not display a woman posing on her own, but a young ephebe unveiling a generously proportioned lady. It surpasses Mucha's normal, passively evocative images and borders on the overtly suggestive. Contemporary publicity explained the image as "Paris revealing Austria to the world;" a marvellous revelation indeed, superbly drawn by Mucha and bathed in a palette of soft, warm earth tones. The right side of the poster was designed by the architect, G. Rossman, and depicts architectural renderings of Austria's various buildings at the Paris World's Fair of 1900. When the poster originally appeared, many collectors cut the piece in two and kept only the sensuous half designed by Mucha. This poster has the uncommon addition of a text banner with the train schedule from Vienna to Paris. (description from auction catalogue) [Z74971635]