Morning Awakening 1899

Alphonse Mucha created this lithograph titled 'Morning Awakening', featuring a woman embodying the dawn of day. The female figure, draped in flowing fabric, is framed within an archway decorated with naturalistic floral designs. The figure symbolizes the cyclical nature of time, where the morning is linked to rebirth and renewal. We can trace the archetype of female figures symbolizing time back to antiquity. Think of the Greek goddess, Eos, or the Roman Aurora. Here, Mucha's work is part of this lineage, reinterpreting the figure to reflect the Art Nouveau movement of his time, with its emphasis on organic forms and decorative beauty. The sensuality and ethereal quality capture the emotional and psychological experience of awakening, evoking a sense of hope and possibility. From antiquity to Art Nouveau, the symbols of dawn continue to evoke feelings of optimism and the promise of new beginnings.