Alphonse Mucha, Le Pater, 1899, Portfolio

Lot: 5104

(Czech, 1860-1939),
Le Pater,1899,
illustrated portfolio of 26 sheets including lithographs in colors and photogravures,
overall: 15.5 x 12 x 1 inches,
published by H. Piazza Co. (Paris, France), edition 340/510, with frontispiece, tirage page, publisher page, edition number page, and the 7 verses with 3 pages per verse.
Notes: Le Pater was Muchas first manifest as an artist-philosopher and he regarded the book as his finest work. Mucha claimed this work was his masterpiece as an artist, and it was the first work the artist did about religion. In this illustrated book, Mucha created an image for every line of the Lords Prayer, portraying his own interpretations of religion and his personal philosophy. In 1900 Mucha exhibited the book and the preparatory drawings at the Paris International Exhibition and was deeply gratified when the illustrations attracted the attention of Emperor Francis Joseph I. This artwork is considered by many to be Muchas message to the world: warning future generations about the progress and prospects of mankind and guiding the way for man to reach the highest state in the spiritual world: the Divine Ideal.

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