Morning Star 1902

"Morning Star" was created by Alphonse Mucha at the turn of the 20th century, an era defined by rapid industrialization and profound social change. The figure in the image exemplifies the Art Nouveau style, with its emphasis on natural forms, curvilinear lines and sensual aesthetics. The piece is evocative of a new modern woman, a figure who was at the time emerging in popular culture. The imagery is not overtly sexual but rather is presented as part of the natural environment. In the context of the time, institutions such as the Salon were becoming increasingly challenged by new forms of artistic expression. Mucha's work exists in the space between the commercial and the fine arts. Historians can look at periodicals, advertisements, and exhibition reviews of the time to explore the culture that gave rise to this image and the social attitudes that it reflects.