Macklowe Gallery, Ltd.
Sarah Bernhardt as “La Princess Lointaine” by Alphonse Mucha- $17,500
A French Art Nouveau lithograph by Alphonse Mucha. An exquisite portrait of Sarah Bernhardt in the role of “La Princess Lointaine” is used here for publicizing “LU” biscuits, with a handwritten testimonial by the actress herself: “Je ne trouve rien de meilleur qu’un petit LU; oh si, deux petits LU.” (I haven’t found anything better than a little LU--oh yes, two little LU). “La Princess Lointaine” was one of Sarah’s great successes, a play written for her by Rostand from an old medieval tale, and shown for the first time in 1895. She played Melisande, daughter of one of the crusader kings from Tripoli who becomes famous far and wide for her beauty. When word of her charm reaches a French knight, Jofroi, he sets out on a long and exhausting journey at the end of which he dies in ecstasy after having accomplished his goal of seeing her and telling her of his love. The Lefèvre-Utile Company also used other artists to produce posters in this series which featured testimonials by prominent personalities; many were also issued as postcards. Circa 1903. Pictured in “Alphonse Mucha: The Complete Posters and Panels” by Jack Rennert and Alain Weill”, Page 308-309, Plate 86. Dimensions: 28-3/8'' high x 20-7/8'' wide. (Framed: 33½'' high x 27'' wide.)
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