Bidspirit auction | Alphonse Mucha's La Pater with

Alphonse Mucha's La Pater with Numerous Highly Decorated Pages - This wonderfully illustrated volume is Alphonse Mucha's Le Pater . The work was published in Paris by Champenois et Piazza et Cie in 1899. The work was limited in publication to 510 copies of which this is number 57. Mucha felt that this work was his finest achievement as an illustrator and it was first religious illustrations. The work is bound in full skin with midnight blue binding. The work is printed on Japan in color on special paper in the shape of the manufactures of the Marais. There is also a suite in black on China. It was said of this work: “At this auspicious time, the turn of a century, Mucha wanted to deliver to future generations his reflections upon human life and man’s place in the universe. He wished to present the way that leads man to a gradual ascent to the divine ideal. He determined to fulfill these goals in his own version of the Lord’s Prayer.” (Mucha/Art Nouveau, p. 233) The work contained a page that stated the Lord's prayer, a page of Mucha's interpretation of the verses, and his own philosphical response. Mucha illustrated each line of the Lord's prayer using his designs (moon, eight pointed stars) and inspirations from Kabbalah and Masonic philosophy. Mucha represented God as a mysterious shadow representing him as everywhere but invisible. The illustration of the Woman is to represent love, which descends from Heaven. Paper Size: ~ 12 3/4” by 16” Paper Type or Special Features: Highly Illustrated Volume Bound in Full Skin, Midnight Blue Binding We have a video presentation of this work, please reach out and I'm glad to send you a link to view this. There are three complete suites of plates, 1 on Japan paper, 1 on special paper à la form of the Marais, and 1 on China paper. There is the portfolio cover front (illustrated) and back (blank) bound in. To the beginning of the work there are two title cards (no image), two no. 57 stamp pages (small circle), three dedication pages (no image). At the end there are three pages explaining the plates and paper type (decorative border), three pages of the publication imprint (small design), and one page with a decorative stamp illustration reading pense et lis. Often the first page presented will have only the design and no printed text for these extra pages. There are three of each fully illustrated image or prayer page. Twenty-three pages in triplicate (or 69 individual pages), with the first of these pages consistently in black and white. Seven of these are the full black and white illustrations. Sixteen are ornately illustrated prayer pages.