Whitman’s chocolates and confections. Philadelphia 1895 - 1917

Alphonse Mucha made this poster for Whitman’s Chocolates in Philadelphia, and the first thing that strikes me is the mosaic patterns that frame the composition. I can almost feel the artist piecing together this image, carefully placing each tile with intention. The neutral, earthy colors are punctuated by pops of blue and red which create a sense of harmony. And that central figure! I imagine Mucha thinking about beauty, luxury, and the allure of sweet indulgence as he conceived her. The woman’s flowing hair and ornate jewelry communicate a sense of timelessness, almost like a goddess. Think about how this relates to Mucha’s broader interest in decorative arts. It makes me think of Klimt, too, and of an entire lineage of artists fascinated by the dialogue between fine art and commercial design, where the poster becomes a canvas, and everyday life, a source of inspiration. It reminds us that artists are always in conversation.