The Precious Stones: Emerald

Mucha, Alphones Maria. The Precious Stones: Emerald. 1900. colour lithograph, 67.2 x 30 cm. (Mucha Trust).








How and why is it relevant to your theme/style?

  • This artwork meets the described characteristics of the Art Nouveau style in art history. Besides being within the relative timeframe of the Art Nouvea era in art history, this artwork encompasses the defining attributions of the natural and hand made. This alongside of the use of nature, confims the argument that this artwork is relavent to my chosen style.

What is different about this example from previous examples?

  • As this is my first blog post, there are not previous examples to compare. 

Why is this example important to you?

  • Origionally, I had found this artwork in a series of panels by the artist composed together in a single image. My reason for choosing this particular artwork is because, unlike the panels the tones used and the description were outliers from the rest of the panels. Unlike Ruby and Amethyst, this work was not described as provacative. Unlike Topaz, this work work did not deapit a "dreamy expression," but rather more of a nightmare. As described in the Mucha Foundation, "Emerald is portrayed as a mysterious and menacing precious stone. The armchair with animals heads on each arm rest is inspired by one of Mucha's own chairs. It can be seen in many of his drawings and photographs"  (Foundation, Mucha). However and above all, what is truely wonderful about this piece, are the pircing eyes (of the figure and the snake!) that convey not only mysterious or menacing, but almost rebelion in non-conformity.

Bibliography:

Foundation, Mucha. “The Precious Stones: Emerald.” Mucha Foundation, www.muchafoundation.org/en/gallery/browse-works/object/139. Accessed 13 June 2023.

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