Alphonse Mucha - Rare Watercolor 1895 - C.o.a

Exceptional watercolor representing elegant people visiting the interior of the Benedictine palace in Fecamp around 1895, and more precisely the labeling room.
Rare testimony of this immense art nouveau artist that was Alphonse MUCHA, who notably produced for this factory a famous poster illustrating the Benedictine.
This palace was inaugurated in 1888 but, devastated by a fire, it was rebuilt in 1892. This work therefore constitutes a precious document, which is also of remarkable finesse, as can be seen through all the details represented, that they are clothing, architectural or related to production.

The watercolor went to public auction during the dispersion of the Lemercier printing works on November 19-20-21, 1903, lot 168, following the death of Mr Lemercier in 1900, which led to the shutdown of the printing works next year then the sale in 1903 of the material and the stock (prints and originals).
Mucha collaborated with the Lemercier printing house in the 1890s, which thus had several originals in its stock, including this watercolour.

The work we are selling is listed in the archives of the MUCHA foundation, which wrote a certificate of authenticity on July 10, 2021 that we will give to the purchaser.

Watercolor and gouache highlights on bristol board

Dimensions watercolor alone: 18 x 26.5 cms Dimensions of the cardboard : 31.5 x 48 cms Dimensions with frame: approximately 48 x 62 cms (High-quality DELF frame with anti-UV and anti-reflective protective glass)

Unsigned

Under the watercolor, at the bottom right, an annotation in pencil "Mucha A. Vente Lemercier"
At the left end of the cardboard, various inscriptions and sketches

Watercolor in superb condition, fresh colors

Photos taken in natural light

AUTHENTICITY GUARANTEED - SALE WITH INVOICE FROM OUR GALLERY + MUCHA FOUNDATION CERTIFICATE

PLEASE LOOK AT OUR OTHER PAINTINGS AND DRAWINGS ON SALE !