Tsar Simeon I of Bulgaria 1923

Alphonse Mucha painted Tsar Simeon I of Bulgaria, an artwork which can be found at the National Gallery in Prague. Mucha was a Czech Art Nouveau painter, best known for his stylised theatrical posters, particularly those of Sarah Bernhardt. In this piece we see a grand, if not romanticised, depiction of Bulgarian history. Simeon I ruled during what is considered the Golden Age of Bulgaria. Mucha emphasizes Simeon’s power and influence, positioning him centrally and elevating him above the other figures, with his hand raised in gesture, suggesting he is mid-speech. Yet, there’s something more subtle occurring here too. The figures surrounding Simeon are shown in various states of dress and undress; their concentration seems directed at transcribing and translating texts. Mucha draws our attention to the labor that underpins any seat of power. Mucha painted this in the early 20th century, a time of great change and anxiety for Bohemia. This work is a meditation on the power of culture, especially the written word, to define national identity in a period of national re-awakening.