SalammbôAlphonse Mucha · 1896
Lithograph- WallArt
- Art Nouveau
1896- 19th Century
Alphonse Mucha (1860 – 1939)
Discover Alphonse Mucha (1860-1939), the Art Nouveau master! Explore his iconic posters, beautiful women & the monumental 'Slav Epic'. A Czech artistic legend.
Visual Composition and Subject Matter
The artwork is a vertical lithograph titled Salammbô, created in 1896. The composition is dominated by a central female figure, likely a representation of the character from Gustave Flaubert's novel, who stands with her head tilted back and arms outstretched in a trance-like state. She is adorned with intricate, Byzantine-inspired jewelry and a peacock-feather headdress. Below her, a smaller male figure, identified as the slave Taanach, is depicted in a kneeling or crouching position, playing an ebony harp. The scene is set on a terrace, featuring an ivory bed and four censers filled with nard, incense, cinnamon, and myrrh.
Style and Technique
This piece is a quintessential example of the Art Nouveau style. The technique utilizes flowing, curvilinear lines to define the figure's drapery, hair, and the surrounding decorative elements. The color palette is characterized by warm, saturated tones, including:
- Reds
- Oranges
- Yellows
- Creams
- Greens
- Subtle blues
The lithographic process creates a smooth, almost velvety texture, with layering used to establish a sense of depth and tactile richness within the decorative, organic forms.
About this artwork
- Title: Salammbô
- Artist: Alphonse Mucha
- Year: 1896
- Format: Tall
- Copyright status: Public domain
- Medium: Lithograph
- Period: 19th Century
- Corpus context: l'estampe moderne series, gustave flaubert's novel
- Color palette: Dark
- Keywords: egyptian revival, female figure, floral motifs
Quick Facts
- Artistic style: Art Nouveau
- Notable elements or techniques: Flowing lines, organic forms, decorative
- Title: Salammbô
- Artist: Alphonse Mucha
- Medium: Lithograph
Questions & Answers
Where is "Salammbô" suggested to be displayed, considering its palette?
With its dark palette, "Salammbô" by Alphonse Mucha is recommended for a living room. The colors are part of the reason for this suggestion.
In which year and which movement was "Salammbô" made?
"Salammbô" was created in 1896 as a work of the Art Nouveau movement. Date and movement anchor the artwork in art history.
Why is the copyright status of "Salammbô" what it is?
"Salammbô" by Alphonse Mucha is in the public domain - its copyright has expired. Copyright terms are measured from the artist's death, and Alphonse Mucha died in 1939.