Salon des Cents exhibition 1897

Alphonse Mucha created this color lithograph poster advertising the Salon des Cents exhibition in 1897. Mucha was instrumental in shaping the Art Nouveau movement, and you can see it in his use of stylized, elongated forms and decorative patterns. The poster features a woman, adorned with flowers, in a moment of creative thought. Consider the socio-cultural context: Paris was a hub of artistic innovation, yet gender norms often relegated women to the role of muses rather than creators. Mucha challenges this by portraying a woman as the active artist, the one shaping the circles and heart on the canvas before her. It’s also impossible to ignore the emotional current running through the work, a sense of quiet determination and inner vision. As Mucha himself said, “I have always striven to make art that lives, art that speaks, art that touches the heart.” Through this poster, Mucha offers a glimpse into a world where women are not just subjects, but active participants in defining culture.