Part of a decorative panel set, Ivy was created to correspond with Laurel (see PAI-XLIII, 453). “Reminiscent in concept to the Byzantine Heads, this is a coupling of two girls’ profiles in cameos. Since they both represent leafy garden plants they are framed in pale green... rich foliage. The backgrounds behind the girls in their respective cameos feature mosaic patterns. The decorative use of foliage of this sort was characteristic of many of the designs which appeared in Mucha’s 'Documents Décoratifs' portfolio” (Rennert/Weill, p. 280). “It is possible that Mucha was inspired by the dancer Lygie for the panel Ivy. This is indicated in the similarity... with the poster, also produced in 1901, advertising her performance in Tableaux Vivants (Living Pictures), which was based on the themes of Mucha’s decorative works” (Mucha/Art Nouveau, p. 203).
literature: (all var but PAI): Rennert/Weill, 76; Lendl/Prague, p. 226; Mucha/Art Nouveau, 53A; PAI-XCIII, 317
This work will ship from Lambertville, New Jersey.