Osud talentu v Čechách ∴ Alfons Mucha ∴

Summary

The video script narrates the life and artistic journey of Alphonse Mucha, a Czech painter known for his distinctive Art Nouveau style. From his humble beginnings in Ivančice to his rise in Paris, Mucha's work became emblematic of beauty and femininity. Despite his success, his later years were marked by a dedication to his nation, creating the Slav Epic, a monumental series reflecting Czech history and Slavic unity. The script explores Mucha's philosophy, his struggle for recognition, and the posthumous fate of his masterpiece, raising questions about national identity and the value of art.

Takeaways

• 🎨 The script tells the life story of Alphonse Mucha, a Czech artist renowned for his Art Nouveau works, and his journey from humble beginnings to international fame.
• 🌟 Mucha's early talent in drawing was evident from a young age, and despite hardships, he pursued a career in art, eventually studying in Munich and finding success in Paris.
• 🏛 His work in Paris spanned various mediums, including theatrical scenery, posters, and book illustrations, which contributed to his growing reputation as an artist.
• 🌈 Mucha's iconic style emerged during the Belle Époque, capturing the essence of the era with his depictions of femmes fatales and his unique approach to color and composition.
• 🏙️ The script highlights Mucha's influence on the Art Nouveau movement, which extended beyond fine art into architecture and design, making him a defining figure of the style.
• 🇨🇿 Mucha's patriotism is a central theme, with his work reflecting a deep connection to his Czech heritage and a desire to create art that would serve and represent his nation.
• 🖌️ The Slav Epic, Mucha's later work, is emphasized as his most ambitious project, a series of large-scale paintings depicting key moments in Slavic and Czech history.
• 🔮 Mucha's vision for the Slav Epic was not without challenges; he faced criticism and a lack of support, which affected the completion and reception of the project.
• 🏰 The script also discusses the uncertain fate of the Slav Epic, which has been moved and stored in various locations, reflecting the lack of a permanent home for this significant body of work.
• ⏳ The passage of time and changing artistic tastes have influenced the perception of Mucha's work, with periods of both appreciation and neglect noted in the script.
• 📖 The final message in Mucha's studio, 'Mucha come', suggests a cyclical return or resurgence of his influence and the enduring relevance of his art.

Q & A

Who is the main subject of the video script?

The main subject of the video script is Alphonse Mucha, a Czech artist known for his distinctive style that contributed to the Art Nouveau movement.

What significant event in Mucha's early life is mentioned in the script?

The script mentions that Mucha was born in Ivančice in 1860 and showed incredible drawing skills from a young age, which included drawing with both hands.

What was the impact of Sarah Bernhardt on Mucha's career?

Sarah Bernhardt gave Mucha the opportunity to create a poster for her premiere of Gismonda, which became a hit and led to a six-year contract, significantly boosting his career.

What style of art did Mucha become associated with?

Mucha became associated with the Art Nouveau style, which was characterized by its decorative elements, flowing lines, and depictions of women.

What was the Slav Epic and why was it significant to Mucha?

The Slav Epic was a series of 20 large-scale paintings Mucha created to depict the history and culture of the Slavic people. It was significant to him as it represented his patriotic vision and artistic legacy.

What challenges did Mucha face in completing the Slav Epic?

Mucha faced financial challenges, needing to travel to America to secure patronage, and also faced criticism and lack of support for his work in his homeland.

What was the reaction to Mucha's Slav Epic upon its completion?

The Slav Epic received mixed reactions. While it was celebrated for its professionalism, it was also criticized for being unfashionable and out of touch with contemporary art trends.

How did Mucha's personal life influence his work?

Mucha's personal life, including his experiences living abroad and his strong sense of patriotism, greatly influenced his work, particularly in the themes and subjects he chose for the Slav Epic.

What was the fate of the Slav Epic after Mucha's death?

After Mucha's death, the Slav Epic was not immediately recognized or properly displayed. It faced damage during storage in a school basement during the war and was later moved to various locations before being rediscovered in the 1960s.

What is the script's perspective on the significance of Mucha's work today?

The script suggests that Mucha's work, particularly the Slav Epic, is a significant cultural artifact that offers insights into the history and identity of the Slavic people and challenges the modern perception of national identity.

Outlines

00:00

🎨 The Artistic Journey of Alphonse Mucha

This paragraph introduces Alphonse Mucha, a Czech artist known for his significant contribution to the Art Nouveau movement. Born in 1860 in Ivančice, Mucha displayed early artistic talent, sketching with chalk on bread. His career took off in Vienna as a theatrical scenery painter and later flourished in Paris, where he embraced the city's revolutionary inventions and cultural shifts. Mucha's work in advertising, posters, and book illustrations led to his recognition, and his life-size poster for Sarah Bernhardt's 'Gismonda' became a sensation, establishing him as a prominent artist in Parisian society.

05:04

🌟 The Rise of Art Nouveau and Mucha's Influence

Alphonse Mucha became synonymous with the Art Nouveau movement, creating series of works that included calendars and illustrations for each month, as well as depictions of the seasons. His style permeated various artistic sectors, including architecture and decorative arts, earning him the title of the high priest of Art Nouveau. Despite his fame and success, Mucha harbored a deep sense of patriotism and dissatisfaction with his commercial work, leading him to a significant decision to focus on his life's true purpose, which involved creating art for his nation.

10:11

🏰 Mucha's Patriotism and Vision for a National Epic

Mucha's strong sense of patriotism and his belief in the Slavic people's messianic role in history led him to abandon his successful career in Paris to focus on a monumental project that would honor his Czech heritage. He envisioned a cycle of paintings that would depict key moments in Czech history and culture, aiming to create a harmonious blend of historical realism with myth and symbolism. This decision marked a radical shift in his life's work, as he sought to create a legacy that would serve his nation beyond his commercial successes.

15:13

🖌️ The Creation of the Slav Epic and Its Significance

Alphonse Mucha dedicated the last third of his life to his magnum opus, the Slav Epic, a series of twenty large-scale paintings intended to capture the essence of Slavic history and culture. He sought patronage in America to fund this ambitious project, eventually partnering with Charles Crane. The Slav Epic reflects Mucha's deep reflection on the human condition, the struggle for survival, and the enduring spirit of the Slavic people. It is a testament to his commitment to create art that serves a higher purpose beyond mere aesthetics.

20:16

🌌 The Cosmic Connection in Mucha's Art

Mucha's work often depicted a connection between humanity and the cosmos, as seen in the celestial motifs in his paintings. His art suggests a contemplation of man's place in the universe and the relationship between earthly and divine realms. The Slav Epic's opening scene, for example, portrays a village under threat, with a pagan priest interceding with the gods, symbolizing the struggle between peace and conflict, and the eternal cycle of life and survival.

25:18

📜 The Power of Words and Czech History

Mucha's Slav Epic continues with a focus on the power of words and their impact on Czech history, particularly the religious reforms led by figures like Jan Milíč, Jan Hus, and Petr Chelčický. These reformers championed the cause of the common people and challenged the established religious and political authorities, leading to significant cultural and social changes. Mucha's depiction of these historical figures and events highlights their courage and the transformative power of their ideas.

30:19

🛡️ Battles and the Pursuit of Peace

The Slav Epic also portrays significant battles in Czech history, such as the Battle of Grünwald and the Hussite Wars, emphasizing the cost of conflict and the pursuit of peace. Mucha's depiction of these events is not triumphant but rather reflective, questioning the sacrifices made in the name of faith and the human capacity for violence. The cycle also includes figures like Peter Chelčický, who advocated for nonviolence and influenced later thinkers like Tolstoy and Gandhi.

35:27

🏛️ The Triumph and Tragedy of the Czech Reformation

Mucha's work captures the triumphs and tragedies of the Czech Reformation, including the defiance of King George of Poděbrady against papal authority and the legacy of the Unity of Brethren. The artist's hometown of Ivančice is depicted as a center of education and culture, symbolizing the importance of knowledge and enlightenment. However, the cycle also hints at the tragic fate that befell the Brethren, who were eventually expelled from their homeland.

40:31

🌅 The Legacy of Jan Amos Comenius

The Slav Epic concludes with the poignant image of Jan Amos Comenius, a great scholar who spent much of his life in exile, contemplating the meaning of human endeavor and the tragedies of personal destiny. Comenius represents the synthesis of faith and science, tradition and modern knowledge, and is a figure through whom Mucha connects the past to the modern age, emphasizing the enduring value of education and cultural heritage.

45:37

🏺 The Struggle for Recognition and the Fate of the Slav Epic

Mucha faced criticism and controversy during his lifetime, with his work on the Slav Epic being both celebrated and derided. Despite the challenges, he remained committed to his vision, even as he grappled with questions about the relevance and value of his art. The Slav Epic was not immediately recognized after his death, and its future was uncertain, reflecting the broader struggles of Mucha's life and the complex legacy he left behind.

50:44

🕍 The Rediscovery of Mucha and His Enduring Impact

In the decades following Mucha's death, his work was rediscovered and gained international recognition, becoming a symbol of Czech national identity and artistic innovation. However, the Slav Epic remained in a state of temporary limbo, reflecting the ongoing challenges of preserving and appreciating cultural heritage. The cycle's journey from obscurity to recognition mirrors the broader questions of national identity and the struggle to define and assert one's place in history.

55:44

🔮 Reflections on National Identity and Mucha's Return

The final paragraph contemplates the broader implications of Mucha's work and legacy, raising questions about national identity and the right to exist. It suggests that Mucha's return, symbolized by his last message, represents a renewed engagement with these questions and a call to reflect on who we are and where we are going as a nation. Mucha's work serves as a mirror, inviting us to examine our history, our values, and our collective identity.

Keywords

💡Alphonse Mucha

Alphonse Mucha was a Czech artist known for his distinctive style that contributed to the Art Nouveau movement. He is a central figure in the video, representing the theme of artistic ingenuity and the intersection of art with national identity. The script discusses Mucha's journey from his humble beginnings to becoming a celebrated artist, highlighting his work in Paris and his dedication to creating art that reflects his Czech heritage.

💡Art Nouveau

Art Nouveau is an international style of art, architecture, and applied art that was popular at the end of the 19th and beginning of the 20th century. In the video, Art Nouveau is associated with Mucha's work, which became synonymous with the style due to his flowing lines, organic motifs, and the incorporation of Slavic and Czech elements into his designs.

💡Patriotism

Patriotism is the theme of love for and devotion to one's country. The script describes Mucha's patriotic feelings that intensified during his time abroad, leading him to create art that celebrated Czech history and culture. His dedication to his nation is exemplified by his decision to work for free to create art that would serve his people.

💡Slav Epic

The Slav Epic is a series of 20 large canvas paintings Mucha created to depict the history of the Slavic people and express his nationalistic sentiments. The video discusses this work as Mucha's magnum opus, reflecting his commitment to celebrating Slavic heritage and his desire to create a legacy that would inspire future generations.

💡Cultural Heritage

Cultural heritage refers to the traditions, values, and historical artifacts that shape a society's identity. The script emphasizes Mucha's efforts to preserve and promote the Czech cultural heritage through his art, particularly in the Slav Epic, where he depicted significant moments and figures from Slavic history.

💡National Identity

National identity is the sense of belonging and attachment to one's nation. The video explores Mucha's strong national identity, which is evident in his decision to depict Czech and Slavic history in his art, and his desire to create works that would inspire national pride and unity.

💡Artistic Ingenuity

Artistic ingenuity refers to the creative skill and originality of an artist. The script highlights Mucha's artistic ingenuity through his innovative approach to design, his ability to capture the spirit of the times, and his unique contribution to the Art Nouveau movement.

💡Philosophy of Art

The philosophy of art is the study of fundamental questions about the nature, purpose, and appreciation of art. The video delves into Mucha's philosophy of art, which was guided by his belief in the power of art to serve a higher purpose, such as expressing cultural ideals and promoting unity and understanding among people.

💡Historical Context

Historical context refers to the circumstances or events that influence the creation and interpretation of art. The script provides a historical context for Mucha's work, discussing the political and social climate of his time, including the Dreyfus Affair and the rise of nationalism, which influenced his themes and subject matter.

💡Cultural Preservation

Cultural preservation is the act of maintaining and protecting cultural heritage. The video emphasizes Mucha's dedication to cultural preservation through his art, as he sought to capture and immortalize the essence of Slavic culture and history in his paintings.

💡Artistic Legacy

Artistic legacy refers to the lasting impact and influence of an artist's work. The script discusses the challenges Mucha's work faced in being recognized and preserved, but also acknowledges the enduring legacy of his art, which has become a symbol of Czech national pride and a significant contribution to the Art Nouveau movement.

Highlights

The story of Alphonse Mucha, a Czech artist renowned for his Art Nouveau works, and his journey from humble beginnings to international fame.

Mucha's early life in Ivančice and the discovery of his drawing talent, including his first artwork sketched on bread slices.

His apprenticeship in Vienna and the influence of fashionable painter Makarova, which led to a scholarship and study at the Munich Academy.

Mucha's move to Paris, the cultural hub for young artists, and his initial struggles to survive as an artist.

The pivotal moment in 1894 when Mucha designed a poster for Sarah Bernhardt that catapulted him to fame in the Parisian art scene.

Mucha's influence on the Art Nouveau movement, creating a unique style that extended beyond fine art into architecture and everyday life.

His transition from commercial artist to a legislator of a new artistic style, known as Le style Mucha.

Mucha's patriotic return to his roots, despite his international success, and his commitment to create art for his nation.

The conceptualization of the Slav Epic, Mucha's monumental series of paintings depicting key moments in Slavic history.

Mucha's struggle for funding and patronage to realize his ambitious Slav Epic project, including his journey to America.

The dedication and sacrifice Mucha made for his art, working tirelessly for two decades on the Slav Epic in solitude.

The Slav Epic's reception and the controversy surrounding its display and significance in Czech culture and history.

Mucha's philosophical and artistic vision, striving for harmony and the ideals of faith, hope, and universal love.

The challenges Mucha faced in his later years, including the impact of World War II on his life and work.

The rediscovery of Mucha in the 1960s and his rise to global prominence, despite initial criticism and neglect.

Reflections on Mucha's legacy and the ongoing debate about the role of nationalism and art in defining national identity.

The current status of the Slav Epic and the unresolved questions about its permanent display, symbolizing the ongoing cultural dialogue.

Transcripts

The fate of talent in Bohemia

speaks author Zdenek Mahler

What can you do.

This will be the story of Czech splurge.

More specifically,

it will be an example of our ingratitude.

It all started with the fact that in 1860 in Ivančice

the family of the bailiff

boy was born.

It soon became clear that it possesses

incredible drawing skill.

He drew his left hand.

Then he even added a right.

And soon he's also handy because,

that actually the age of eleven

this boy himself having to worry about their livelihood.

One of his earliest works of art had a special appearance.

Sketched with chalk on a loaf of bread slices,

so how can it be allowed to cut into the day after.

As an apprentice got to Vienna

and helped to paint theatrical scenery.

And looking around in the metropolitan city mocnářském

and what he could, and there was a lot to learn.

Namely by the then fashionable painter Makarova.

This deft drawings, the young man was so great that she was noticed and Hrušovansko Count,

and so let him paint with private quarters

and even she favored him with a sort of scholarship.

He went to the Academy in Munich.

But for the time to panic favor away,

and so the young man, Alphonse Mucha,

yes, we're talking about him,

moved into the city, into a mecca for young painters, ie. to Paris.

A housed in the Latin Quarter where she lived artistic and bohemian students and seamstresses Loretka

and bought a bag of coal to freezing to death

and a bag of lenses, in order to eat.

A sixteen hours a day working

And, of course, he published a sketchbook around Paris

because at that time really namely France and Paris went through a revolutionary phase,

superimposed inventions, sport, fashion.

He got into fashion Cancan and bicycles and balloons and airships.

They invented the automobile.

And there was the invention of film and telegraph and the phonograph and science has progressed by leaps and bounds

and with it, of course, a number of obscure doctrines, including the then fashionable spiritualism.

And there was the Dreyfus Affair and built the Eiffel Tower

and was about World Fair

And Sarah Bernhardt reaped so much success

And on the edge of life, very persistently and diligently he lived and worked Alfons Mucha.

He worked on commercials.

He made posters.

Occasionally I got the chance to illustrate some books

His virtuosity, brilliance but even led to

that one in distress pressman asked him to hurry, stand-in, literally over Christmas,

It was in 1894, set up as a replacement posters for the premiere of Sahra Bernhardt,

specifically for Gismondi.

A Mucha on a marble table in a cafe painted proposal

and then overnight he had sketched and printed.

And it was a poster, which was designed in height, life-size.

And he was putting up in the ranks.

And his tlumenné colors and the odd new composition immensely attracted the attention of Parisian citizens

and so it happened that literally, not just this poster, but also its creator became a hit, the star

literally concept in art Paris.

Since then, and has secured a contract for six years,

He is preparing for theaters not only visitors but also costumes

for his heroin designed jewelry and furniture and decor of the apartment.

He became the creator

beauty ideal, femmes fatales.

On the next all women who have been associated with the so-called Art Nouveau, bore the seal of Alfons Mucha.

They were strange fashionable women who looked pensive inside your soul,

listen to unfamiliar voices

and Mucha is created literally in the series, calendars,

It means for individual months and zvěrokruhová sign.

And in cycles for spring and summer and autumn and winter.

And for the morning and afternoon and evening and night.

In short, it happened

these thoughtful beauties surrounded by a number of flowers and butterflies and stalks and stems,

ornaments, křivkama, loops created Kano time.

And not only these beauties.

The style that Mucha created, literally stepped out of the salon to the streets and seized the city.

A switched to other artistic sectors,

So suddenly he got an Art Nouveau architecture and the form of the so-called food

A Mucha became a legislator, the high priest of what has been called the art nouveau, art nouveau or Jugendstil.

A word or any other style Mucha, or French Le style Mucha.

All this brought him fame, fame, money, medals, a huge social prestige.

His studio was a center of famous people, social celebrities.

Around him were created myths about the poor boy who became famous on the enormously successful compatriot

Mucha was the star.

Ingenious decorator?

It is this recognition of him most kneaded.

It began to take shape something that surprised all of Paris,

for he had long carried in his soul a feeling of discontent, dissatisfaction.

He had other ideas.

Far more difficult challenge in itself bore

And so it was really the breakthrough century there was a break, which surprised Paris

Mucha himself because he decided to discontinue all, snip and utterly uncompromising board that,

what we might call the final of his life, whatever that meant the final third of your life,

however represented a full twenty years to his work.

Alfons Mucha long stay abroad

his contact with the great world, he obviously created a world citizen.

But on the other hand, it flies away from home it strengthened the feeling of patriotism, patriotism intensely.

And so, at his encounter with formulations which act to pathetically:

"Anything doing this for my people do not consider the job." Or:

"My time, my precious time falls to nothingness, while my people to appease their thirst is served by water from puddles."

Then at the turn of the centuries,

exactly midnight on New Year's Eve Mucha oath and he himself bears witness statement:

"It was midnight, and I stood and looked at all my stuff to work so far.

And so I said holy promise that the rest of his life only need to complete work for his nation.

Mucha had a far higher art ideas.

Art beyond success and money and ordinariness.

For him it was a beauty and service to God and the nation.

If you tell him to illustrate the history of Germany,

swerves to the images, where the history of Germany participates Czech element.

Emperor Rudolf II. his astrologer

Defenestration of Prague,

Wallenstein's assassination,

Vienna besieged by the Turks and Czechs participate in the defense and so on.

The greatest impetus from which a maximum sluboval Mucha,

the contract was to prepare for the World Expo pavilion human Palace of the human spirit.

And he sketches in imagining that at the bottom, at the base of the Eiffel Tower can build a giant globe.

As a huge paperweight and inside the museum will discharge and human hope and the future of man.

Unfortunately, this project was not realized, but maybe just the negative experience led to a final decision Mucha

Next time to focus on what he considered life motto and the path to the absolute.

He had his nationalism, however, the form, above which does not deserve to break the stick.

His patriotism was aimed at no discharge, did not contain any ingredient expansion, marginalization.

It was utterly self-preservation reactions.

He knew that people always lived under threat and in a very miserable situation antisocial immaterial.

Eternally surrounded surrounded by brutality and oppression.

And the nation was immensely impressed because he showed tremendous resilience for centuries.

Mucha patriotic considerations were strengthened even some idea of ​​the messianic role of Slavs in the history of mankind.

These were ideas that were historically typical.

It was based on the fact that after a long era of Roman influence

and then after a long era of germánstva, is come to Slavs very bright moments.

Distinctly moment in world history.

True, Mucha these concepts are caught in the stage, where gradually sagging and neosvědčovaly,

However Mucha them in his vision of his attention and pointed precisely at moments

when there was a zbratření Slavs and the fact the Slavs were able to create a huge inspirational cultural centers.

But gradually Mucha obviously focused on what they considered essential binding on us.

That is the reasoning and depiction of the key moments of our national events.

And it is no wonder that focus to what they thought was inspiring not only for the Czechs but actually for Europe.

We can say focused on what the Czechs were able to offer Europe in the sphere of ideas and morals.

Mucha summed up the importance of his work into words:

"I Strehl all images of what might mention the stark differences and the blood shed in disputes."

"The purpose of my work was never to destroy but always to build, to create bridges.

Because all of us must nurture hope of all humanity converge and the easier it well if you know each other.

Mucha in its aspirations, its reasoning was plunging deeper and deeper, up to the level of myth and parable and age-old symbols.

To him it was not just a matter of individual zpodobovat unique historical scenes, he had in mind a general order.

And so in that his intended cycle was bound to repel a huge historical, cultural bedrock,

which began with pagan myths and then escalated into a huge Christian concept

plus then the Enlightenment and the development of science and what is conceived of the Masonic Lodge,

as a philanthropic center.

It all fused into thinking that Mucha and began to create layers of meaning.

We can say that the thought content,

moments and figures in his scenes symbolism that there is encrypted,

all this is actually an insider Puzzle and for us who are to come,

unimaginable offer semantic systems.

In any case, one they have in common.

Striving for harmony.

The ideals of faith, hope and universal love.

Alongside this, how Mucha ujasňoval what will and what will not zpodobovat,

ujasňoval course and how things artistically express.

He clarifies tvarostloví.

He obviously knew what he had to say, not only zpodobit an impression, as did the previous obrázkáři.

He had to decide for certain elements of historical realism.

With him dead and they live there together, realities and Myst legend with the dream, banal is sacred.

For Mucha is extremely important paradox.

For Mucha emptiness, seeming emptiness,

It means heaven or sea or sky or ground which is at the front is somehow empty

but it creates a great space for our imagination, for imagination, for our potency of thought.

It says the accident serves prepared.

Mucha's idea of ​​a cycle of gradually Refining and very often she served coincidence.

Mucha felt it would be a monumental cycle,

but specifically how to implement the idea, it occurred to him on the ship when it sailed to America to get patron

The ship's steam engine combined with sails.

A stay on board and look at the swollen sails inspired Mucha, in the sense

he decided the big screen - paint on canvas.

He planned twenty paintings.

A painting for painting, should be an area of ​​6x8 meters, which means nearly half aru.

A Mucha believed that the episode will spend five years

and he spent on it actually twenty years.

The entire last third of his life.

And if you clarify everything Mucha, created a strange paradox.

Mucha, who earned unimaginable money, never for money did not make sense.

And so he was never able to get together.

And now for the huge project obviously needed the capital.

So he decided that the money will go to America.

And Baroness Rothschild received letters to Vanderbilt and Morgan and the like.

He obviously did not go there for glory. He says openly.

He went there to earn that then he could work undisturbed.

He is explicitly formulated programmatically:

"I earn more money abroad and our nation give you what you need, for free."

In this he was an idealist schoolbook

He says: "Working for a nation should not be tainted by financial interest."

"Directly to me I disgusted that I thought my holy could connect with a profit."

And he painted a dull upstart ladies, until he was finally able to meet with patrons.

It was a Chicago millionaire and patron, and a weirdo, Charles Crane.

Secretive, but very profound gentleman,

who was friends with future presidents

Professor Tomas Masaryk as Professor Woodrow Wilson

And so with Crane agreed that the operating costs of your takes on this millionaire,

with American money held by Czech artist living his dream.

A jointly agreed

together they completed the cycle dedicated to the city of Prague provided

that Prague as it does not give a penny.

It only commits to for the cycle has built a pavilion, where the cycle will be installed.

The cultural centers of Paris and America, Mucha moved to solitude in Bohemia at Chateau Zbiroh.

And here in the former cafeteria has set up a new studio completely konstrastní.

There were just what to do with the realization of his dream.

And here came day after day.

And they had prepared from local artisans and frames them stretched a giant canvas.

Even those frames are on rails so that they can be moved.

And they were suspended so as to be able to browse them actually like.

And here Mucha come up with that on the stepladder day spent ten to twelve hours

and that nothing was disturbed, he took up everything. Not only colors, palette, brushes - those often held in his teeth.

But he took with him into the housing and food. He raisins, almonds, dates

And so he worked day after day to realize their vision for eighteen years.

And so ended the phase of reflection and preparation.

Mucha concept withstand comparison with the grandeur of what was about Michelangelo Sistine Chapel

It was comparable with the Germanic musical masterpiece Der Ring des Nibelungen by Richard Wagner.

Or a cycle of symphonic poems from our Bedrich Smetana.

Mucha was finally able to begin work on their Slav Epic.

And this is the input chord.

Opening cycle, the choice of topics, not at random, of course Mucha.

Maybe it's a ballad from our homeland.

Perhaps, biblically speaking, it's a scene spodobující expulsion from paradise.

Look! Beyond the Horizon Village burns.

And raiders who seized the booty odhaneji herds and villagers likely to slavery and death.

And just as those most Mucha paintings combine realistic realm, the day, with the mythical,

and here we have the divine realm represented by the top pagan žerecem who intercedes with the gods,

Surrounded by husband and wife apparently praslovanskými Adam and Eve.

He is in armor, she in white. One representative of the male principle, she's female.

Fight.

Peace.

Those meanings is certainly a lot and it is up to the individual to choose what is close to his heart.

Astrologvé should come that precisely at the intersection of the diagonals,

in the herd is a significant figure of a ram.

It opens the zodiac, so he opens up cycle.

I must admit that I was always fascinated by displaying the firmament.

It is entirely familiar, is actually identical to the vault, which we know it. Big Dipper, Polaris

As if the image evocative of us have tried to resolve the relationship of man and the cosmos.

They look at us indifferently those stars?

There is among them one with which we are born and we die?

But it's essential that urgent, perhaps even solving relationship between man and his life.

Look for the pair, which only really survives tragedy.

I have long believed that it is the mother and daughter.

Until then I noticed the tremendous work-worn hands has the figure.

Maybe this is also a man and a woman. Earthly analogy of Adam and Eve.

What is essential is their view.

They vytřeštěnými their eyes looking for help.

They bezpomocní. They are looking for sympathy and solutions, and a starting point,

because they are the first, which begins at survival endless series of Lidice

God knows where it is.

Maybe it's here recently and we did too.

They do their expression to say that life for us has never been granted,

we always had to overcome the threat.

That is our historic destiny.

And that obsessive eye, this warning memento connects the first image with another.

Here it is represented looking woman with a babe.

She then opens a scene that is much later date.

A place on the shores of the Baltic Sea.

Somewhere on Rügen, where the temple stood Slavic god svetovid his statue.

It was God who had four faces

and annually held celebrations after the harvest.

And the festivities were full of singing and dancing and feasting. The show of beautiful girls.

They were also linked to the victims.

You see the sacrificial bull. In terms of astrologers again representative of the zodiac.

And the obsessive view, that evokes the carefree joy it has its counterpoint.

He opposed storyline that will determine the future of these strains is portrayed as a mythical band at the top.

Look! As if in microgravity, however, there fatally reveals the Germanic god. Sometimes talking about Thor, sometimes by Votan, surrounded by a pack of werewolves,

who uchystají next tragic fate of the Slavic tribes.

Last Slavic ruler on a white horse falls. Musicians have musical entertainment sadly

and both of those bands that everyday (real) and then the mythical pair are joined to form a classic design motifs.

It's muse and young artist

And his meditative expression, this idea bitter end

It leads me to the fact that I can not help feeling, although subjective, it's a little portrayal of a young Mucha.

In any case, the scene heralds in this wonderful brightness of the tragic twist.

Basically extinction Polabian Slavic tribes.

And this is the third part of the triptych input

It's a scene that took place at Velehrad sometime in 879th

After 20 years, we succeeded in Slavonic liturgy in worship, now officially affirmed.

At that time, the truth of God for Cyril, Methodius as the old man returns from German imprisonment.

The court of Prince Svatopluk had arrived papal legate who reads approval bull

however, was accompanied by a secret message to Svatopluk oversaw the reintroduction of the Latin liturgy,

to dismantle Methodius work to link up with the German emperor, which was then all this happened.

The fact is symbolically captured top strip, where you can see both the Pope and the German Emperor

and Slavic brothers who are with emotion goodbye and go into exile to Russia, Bulgaria.

And so actually it happened to cap that, while the first part we watched the demise of the village

and in the second scene we watched the demise tribes, watching the scene on the third demise of the empire.

That ended the Great Moravian Empire

and the obsessive warning look is here replaced by another appeal, literally encouraging.

It's a figure of a young man who holds the ring as a symbol of unity, concord.

A second clenched hands makes it clear that it is necessary resilience and independence.

We can say that it is actually kind of our Statue of Liberty.

And now imagine that mystic and psychic Mucha had his bedroom directly above the well,

that was dug in the 14th century in a siliceous rock and is perhaps the deepest in Europe.

It measures 162 meters.

And then Mucha opened another triptych, called it the Power of Words.

Concentrating on Czech history, namely bird corrective movement.

Heroes of the triptych are three preachers karatelé. First Jan Milíč,

which was a charismatic personality, so it was not surprising that he was entrusted with the function of the royal office and canonical place in St. Vit.

But the militia surrendered both lucrative functions and henceforth lived in abject poverty, as St. Francis of Assisi.

And his sermon was so radical that he did not shirk neither pope nor king. He was convinced that a fish rots from the head.

And he was in his sermons so impressive

it was the fact that the Old Town of Prague, where he stood brothel, harlots had just decided to leave that house and destroy it

and all valuables and precious garments put together so that the monastery was built here.

They changed into a white and a nun in the number 200, entered the monastery, which he called Jerusalem.

He even had a chapel dedicated characteristically Maria Madalena.

A Milic, who is in the picture that opens Goose trilogy, after Mucha way almost hidden.

Heroes usually Mucha scenes are sometimes hidden, almost lost.

There you see it actually behind the pillar scaffolding.

Milic was so radical preacher, he was twice summoned to answer for at the papal court.

The second trip stayed in Avignon and died there. He died before the trial.

You can say that he is the prototype of the torch who wishes who will follow. It now belongs to another picture trilogy.

The second and most important preacher, he worked at the Bethlehem Chapel

At the time of Mucha he painted this picture can not of course know the interior of the Bethlehem Chapel, and so it was reconstructed according to their wishes and colonnaded arches.

You see the pulpit, university rector, Jan Hus.

He preaches against the unworthy masters and having to live with the knowledge of the truth.

Not by chance is behind a fresco of St. George the dragon attacking.

And not by chance under the fresco of discovering the character of Jan Zizka

Among the students who came to preach in the Bethlehem Chapel, they were represented all vsrtvy, all the ingredients then Prague

The poor, artisans, townspeople, nobles, even the present Queen Sophia, the wife of Wenceslas IV.

Noteworthy is also the face dvořanky, which sits alongside the Queen. Observes has averted glance

and watching what he was doing at the baptismal font the mysterious monk.

This is a spy. Writes a message to Archbishop Rabbit.

We can say that the whole scene depict farewell Husa and Prague. It is one of the last of his sermon before he was called to be responsible to the Council of Constance,

before he was sentenced and burned.

Mucha relied on the fact that all people know, of course,

so now it nezpodoboval final drama. This is actually behind the image.

A striking detail is perhaps the fact that this painting Mucha finished 6 July 1915, ie. the day of the 500th anniversary of the martyrdom of Jan Hus.

And without knowing it precisely in line with the day when Masaryk proclaimed in Switzerland initiation resistance, efforts to establish a free independent Czechoslovakia.

Goose trilogy, three scenes with preachers culminates in a fascinating portrait that Mucha stood tall.

Under eerie ominous sky, pierced by lightning, is inevitably storm was brewing, a conflict, a war.

It is reported crusade against Bohemia. And so the Czechs conspired meeting on a hill at them from Prague.

His name is still on Křížkách

Here he met with the country people Praguers already approaching protracted valley.

On the straw roof huts hastily built a pulpit for radical priest Koranda and he gave the signal for revolution.

"The brothers know that the our vineyards flourish, but the goats she wants to feed off.

Wherefore henceforth place the pilgrim's stick and seize swords! "

For more family campfire cooks dinner and horses are still powering,

But great history like hot lava began to move.

The principle applied Mucha trio in battle scenes.

These battle scenes are actually pobytevní scene. Characterized by considerable statism and pensiveness, because it is the defacto parade field of dead bodies

The first scene is related to the Grünwald battle on the field, it was in 1410,

where they united Slavic development against the German order of crusaders who penetrated to the east and forcibly spreading Christianity

and here was a victory in which the Crusaders of 7000 only 15 remained alive, also fell kondur

Polish king, who overlooks the battlefield, surrounded by teammates and you find that they participated in fighting the Czechs.

Up there, one of them is through the eye chlípec. Yes, this is Jan Zizka.

The whole atmosphere of the scene, of course, is triumphant. It did not belong to philosophy Mucha.

This is a scene that evokes sadness rather, a question of the cost of victims of human shed Christian blood.

And this is the second in a triptych painting battle scenes.

Depict victory on Vítkov 1420

After the defeat of the first crusade led by Emperor Sigismund.

Zizka plunged his sword and turned his face to the sky.

All are convinced that God is on their side, they are God's Warriors.

In the center of the field altar flanked by two priests-holding the monstrance in the form of the sun. Foursome in humility fell to the ground.

The woman who forms a traveling motive in Mucha's cycle, originally fixed his gaze on the audience, then Mucha diverted her eyes.

And this is the conclusion of the battle scenes.

Landscape rolls war rage.

Husité slaughtering papist, Catholics slaughtering utraquists. On the horizon is burning city.

The refugees brought their dead on the bank of the pond, and one of them threatens fist revenge.

And his dark gesture halt local squire named Peter Chelčický.

Autodidact, an unconventional thinker who leads the movement inside husického second concept, ie. Nerozmnožovat evil for evil. Act of violence against non-violent means.

His work over the centuries fall into the hands of the literati and thinkers Tolstoy, who writes an enthusiastic essay

and he later gets into the hands of a man who enters into world history under the name of Mahatma Gandhi.

A nonviolence will be recognized as a universal way to solve modern problems of human relationships.

Mucha tried to take all the pictures of his series lead to the kind of the current appeal.

This is particularly the current tone.

Although it occurred at a depth of 15 th century.

Utraquist King George of Poděbrady received papal legate Fantina.

He left it precisely because Czech delegation to the Pope was also adopted merely standing.

This time Fantin, papal legate, who is also blessed with Mucha profile of Pope Pius II., Came with the ultimate in command to George gave compacts, ie. A dual faith.

As you can see, George responded hněvně, kicked the stool. The whole scene is likely to have far-reaching consequences. On the word of witnesses is apparent.

Violet, the robed archbishop Rokycana.

George 'scribe of Justice, in essence mefistofelská figure also responds very defiant.

The young man closed the book on which is written Roma finita.

At right we see actually the only comic figure of the entire cycle.

The entire cycle is tuned extremely seriously. That figure, it is Jiřík clown Tom Thumb.

Encounter led to an attempt to isolate Jiřík and his Kingdom.

George, by contrast, tried to break the blockade.

Mailed to each delegation royal courts of Europe's nations to form a union.

The project is still naléhajvější, the scope of our current deliberations.

The main ideas are developed Chelčického Unity of Brethren

and her school vzdělanecké center in Ivancice, Mucha was painted with a special love, because he was a native of Ivančice.

His image reminds old Raphael's painting called Athenian Academy, a gathering of scholars, education.

We follow Žerotína patron who came to look for a printer that is already in Czech translation issued Bible and hymn book and Czech grammar.

And we see in the garden of the hard work of students and text along paths through the intellectuals and leading scholarly debate.

And we must take the pair in the left corner.

Blinded old, actually representative of wisdom, which is communicated to new wisdom youngster, in which we recognize a youthful face Mucha.

The atmosphere of the image is comforted him truly reigns education, culture and peace. However, it represented the autumn.

Nature is already somewhat tired. A man carrying a basket full of apples

Around the temple tower Ivančice swallows flock to departure, so they suggested that perhaps symbolically,

even the brotherhood in a short while awaiting the tragic fate because the inclement conditions have been expelled from their homeland to a foreign country into long-term exile.

And this image is concluded supreme triptych.

Perhaps the image itself is the highlight of the entire cycle of Mucha.

Mucha had it and prefer only this painting is signed. Down there is the filmmaker's signature.

Depict the classic theme of visual artists and philosophers, ie. The death of the great scholar.

There sits Jan Amos Comenius, who as you know, most of his life spent in exile.

And at the end of their days let you bring a chair over the gulf sea.

And here, in the face of the sky and sea, ie. To infinity and eternity, thinking about the meaning of human endeavor as well as tragedy in his personal destiny.

Now he is dying.

She came to say goodbye group of compatriots.

It hopes the rest, perhaps it is only a symbolic lantern starlight.

I do not know if I said goodbye to him Mucha, I think quite the opposite.

This hugely freed apatetická scene was not only for Mucha, but for all challenge

because everything that preceded and all that preceded, they were preparing. They created the figure of Comenius synthesis.

Comenius was a key figure for Mucha, the legislature, the one that coalesce faith and science,

tradition and modern knowledge, patriotism and Europeanness.

From him Mucha as the legislature had transferred straight into the modern age.

At the time of Mucha he worked on his cycle and when it passed the city of Prague, the situation was not very comforted

because there was not yet the National Gallery, where contemporary painters did not exhibit

Mucha considered a bid for favoritism itself.

Mucha began labeling project as a Trojan horse for foisted white elephant gift.

And this led to the fact that it raised a wave of objections to the words of attacks and ridicule.

Mucha's work was celebrated and cursing, reaped success and damnation.

Among the statements which appeared at the time, they were the remarks avandgardistů, convinced of their already advanced to the truth

and so it happened that Mucha's work has been described as a prop, as something that is passe, as false mythology,

as zastydlé beer patriotism, as Slavonicism that stale, as something that belongs to the previous century.

Mucha was criticized academic descriptiveness, didaktizmus, bringing theatrical, literary painting, unbearable pathos, bombast, pomposity.

It was said that it was a tragic misunderstanding of the artist himself, of getting lost, a mistake, a lost chance.

In his work on the giant cycle could Mucha to decorate a part of the Municipal House in Prague and propose banknotes and postage stamps for the Czechoslovak state.

In addition to its citizens Zbirožský redecorated into the gymnasium, the local theater curtain.

You can see it along with us for the first time, nobody in the world does not know it yet. She was recently rescued by our soldiers.

And then for us it primarily interested in the theme Zbiroh castle. And still above the window,

which let in light overcoat to Mucha's studio, where he created a huge series Epic.

Mucha himself began to feel the inconsistency.

Before it was still being built. It is the art of the old or new? The descent or discovery? The second breath or fatigue?

And he puzzled he consulted fortune teller.

He turned on beyond the grave, the ghosts who tried to provoke them and seek confirmation.

Art is not advisable to differentiate in terms of new or old, because art is either good or bad. Art either is or is not.

And in terms of delay in his paintings was the undisputed amazing professionalism.

He rationalized his project words:

"Love their nation does can never be delayed. It may be unfashionable for a while, as long or short skirts."

Until erases differences stages, remains the only great art.

Thus we have to survive 50 years, until subsides generational differences.

However, continuing attacks rid Mucha decisiveness.

Naleptaly his inspiration.

Painter's sovereignty weakened.

Conclusion cycle Mucha finished.

Look! Part of the picture remained virtually nedomalována.

Blank faces an appalling act eloquence.

Then there was the Epic Mucha deflected and perhaps in anticipation of future events načtrl a new triptych.

It is very ballad. They show it with churches smoldering chimneys.

A number of dead naked human bodies.

That hunch was justified, shortly after it was occupied Czechoslovakia.

Among the first that the Gestapo summoned for questioning Alfons Mucha.

Soon he died.

He was denied an honorable burial, denied and religious ceremonies.

Above his coffin spoke arch-foe

Mucha's remains were stored in Vysehrad Slavin.

And what fate had Mucha's Epic?

Cycle that has been his artistic sum.

The work, which he dedicated his peak decades.

Dar, who presented us for free.

What garnered Mucha unique gesture of moral values?

True, the location of the cycle has been developed by a number of considerations.

And it changed them apart Petrin, proposals for the Industrial Palace and Emmaus and St. Agnes Convent and Trade Fair Palace.

Castle is also considered. Either of the Riding School, or the Ball Room.

At one point he even emerged the suggestion that the cycle has been excellent decoration Parliament, so that Members have an eye on history link.

And still nothing happened.

A millionaire Crane came up with a suggestion that the cycle would have to take into Russia, to take as a gift.

A Mucha prevent this and further consideration be given to the Wallenstein Riding School and Vysehrad, a pavilion on Rieger orchards as well as the Star and the Brevnov Monastery and Vítkov.

Including consideration of the Castle at Zbiroh or nuns.

During the war, then the cycle rolled on spools stored in the basement of a Prague school.

It happened that broke the water and hallways were covered in snow,

so the work was substantially damaged. Locally reflected breaks, the painting fell out, the odmáčela.

And after the war, when he finally Mucha cycle brought to the court, said the experts:

"It's nothing, some Mucha, such scenery. It has no value."

In this statement coincidentally found himself the former district secretary of Krumlov.

And he got an easy approval to the cycle as the loan was transferred to the castle Krumlov.

Whoever comes to him a look, we can not realize that we were on to him long ago could come.

That this cycle ever had did not exist.

That we, in a sense survived miraculously.

True, in the 60s, Mucha was rediscovered.

And he became literally a world fashion.

Strictly speaking, what we thought was irrelevant,

It became fashionable and entered the general consciousness.

And what he saw as the backbone of his work, religion, remains outside of our attention.

2/3 centuries have passed and Mucha cycle exists in a permanent temporaries.

D man on the willy-nilly attacks:

If the cycle were Americans or the French,

It would probably be about it a long time ago the world knew.

But we do, we are characterized by the fact that for us already today the nation as a concept exists in quotes.

We got so far that revisiting his own history

and prove that we are not able to stand on your own two feet and always in history, we are only trespass, we were always thrown.

Is it not a question of whether we have the right to exist?

All these considerations are paralyzing our simple confidence.

Leading to what could be called nihilism in modern history.

If those who develop these considerations, especially if they are seen to it that we learn in flies.

Because in our country and amputated in a nation that builds its physiognomy,

is supremely time to ask questions of Mucha and his work: "Who are we? And what are we?"

"And from KUD going? And what are we going?"

In Mucha's apartment, there is such a small black table at which he used to write messages with chalk.

His last message to this table is written in chalk in French:

"Mucha come"

Mucha returns.

Yes,

Mucha returns