A FREE exhibition featuring 44 original works by the legendary Art Nouveau artist Alphonse Mucha is on view at the Nanshan Museum in Nanshan District through early November.

The showcase, “Alphonse Mucha — Art Nouveau and the 1900 Paris Exposition,” features 117 works and sets, including oil paintings, prints, black-and-white photographs, commercial posters and furniture related to the Czech artist. Organized into five major sections, it offers a comprehensive look at the artistic trajectory of this Art Nouveau master.

The Art Nouveau movement, which grew out of a wide-ranging decorative-arts trend that swept Europe and America in the 19th century, dominated from the 1890s to the 1910s. Mucha emerged as one of its leading figures.

Before he achieved fame, Mucha supported himself in Paris by illustrating books. His career changed dramatically in 1894 when he was unexpectedly commissioned to create a commercial poster for the new play “Gismonda,” starring French actress Sarah Bernhardt. Deeply moved by Bernhardt’s performance, Mucha distilled the play’s climactic mood into a striking poster that became an instant sensation in Paris and propelled him to stardom.

Also featured in the Nanshan Museum exhibition is Mucha’s poster for “La Dame aux Camelias,” another Bernhardt production. Created in the same period, it is regarded as one of the masterpieces of the Art Nouveau movement.

After his rise to fame, Mucha became one of Paris’ most sought-after designers, receiving numerous commercial commissions that spanned posters, advertisements and decorative objects. He was also widely celebrated for his captivating portrayals of women. The exhibition presents his classic lithograph series “Fruits” and “Flowers,” which showcase his singular interpretation of natural forms: plants rendered in graceful, flowing curves and female figures that harmonize with floral patterns.

The show not only highlights Mucha’s signature works but also presents outstanding pieces by other Art Nouveau artists of the period. Multimedia videos in the gallery run in sync to tell the stories behind the works and emphasize their dynamic artistic effects, allowing visitors to experience the pieces more immersively.(Claudia Wei)

Dates: Through Nov. 9

Venue: Nanshan Museum, Nanshan District (南山博物馆)

Metro: Line 1 or 12 to Taoyuan Station (桃园站), Exit B