LA TOSCA 1899

Alphonse Mucha created "La Tosca" as a lithograph to advertise Sarah Bernhardt's performance in Victorien Sardou's play. Mucha’s poster offers us a window into the world of Parisian theater at the turn of the century, where women were both celebrated and scrutinized. The poster showcases Bernhardt, a superstar of her time, whose fame challenged the conventional roles assigned to women. She gazes out, both vulnerable and powerful, a bouquet of flowers in her arm. Mucha drapes her in flowing robes, softening her form and embodying the era's aesthetic ideals. Yet, she stands tall, a commanding figure in a male dominated society. The woman behind her, with a halo, represents purity and the impossible standards women were expected to meet. This image is not merely a poster but a reflection of the complex and evolving roles of women in society, mirroring the adoration and judgment they often faced.