{"product_id":"etrennes-by-alphonse-mucha-1903","title":"Etrennes by Alphonse Mucha, 1903","description":"\u003cp\u003eAlphonse Mucha’s \u003cem\u003eEtrennes (1903)\u003c\/em\u003e centres on two female figures seated in close companionship, their attention gathered around an ornate book. Warm reds, deep browns and pale cream tones bind the figures to the surrounding ornament, while the tall format and elaborate border give the scene the character of a decorative panel. Above them, the prominently lettered title announces the new year; below, the name “Librairie Armand Colin” identifies the bookselling context from which this intimate composition emerged.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eThe French word \u003cem\u003eétrennes\u003c\/em\u003e refers to New Year’s gifts or seasonal gratuities, making the book at the heart of the design especially apt. Created in 1903, the poster belongs to the mature Art Nouveau culture of the Belle Époque, when commercial graphics could be conceived with the compositional care and decorative ambition of fine art. Mucha, a Czech artist who established his reputation in Paris, became one of the period’s defining designers. His distinctive combination of idealised figures, sinuous contour and densely organised ornament was so recognisable that it was widely known as “le style Mucha”.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eA closer look\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eThe composition is built around closeness. The two figures lean towards the open volume rather than facing outward, creating a self-contained exchange within the poster’s more public, promotional framework. One holds the book while the other looks on; their gently inclined heads form a compact visual arc above its decorated cover. Fine outlines clarify their profiles and expressions, and a delicate braid falling over the shoulder of the figure on the left introduces another graceful, descending line.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eAlthough the scene suggests depth through soft shading and a faint shadow beneath the figures, Mucha keeps the overall design deliberately flat and graphic. Clothing, hair, lettering and border are treated as interlocking shapes rather than as elements receding into a fully modelled space. Subtle tonal changes give the garments a sense of texture, but the strongest effects come from contour and colour: saturated red is set against muted brown, while lighter passages illuminate faces, hands and pages.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eThe typography forms part of the composition rather than merely explaining it. “Etrennes 1903” occupies the upper centre with ceremonial prominence, balanced by the restrained banner for “Librairie Armand Colin” along the lower edge. Around both image and lettering, small repeating motifs establish a steady ornamental rhythm. The quieter background prevents this detail from becoming oppressive, allowing the figures and book to remain the visual anchor.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eContext and significance\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eMucha’s career helped transform the public face of fin-de-siècle Paris. In posters, advertisements, magazine illustrations and decorative designs, he repeatedly dissolved the boundary between pictorial art and everyday visual communication. Women were often placed at the centre of these compositions, surrounded by floral, geometric or architectural frameworks that function almost like secular haloes. In \u003cem\u003eEtrennes\u003c\/em\u003e, however, the emphasis is unusually domestic and absorbed: the figures are defined not by theatrical display but by the shared act of looking at a book.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eThat balance between commerce and reverie is central to the poster’s appeal. It promotes books through an atmosphere of attention, affection and seasonal generosity, yet its message is carried as much by the choreography of line and colour as by the printed words. The result is a characteristic example of Mucha’s ability to make graphic information, ornament and human gesture operate as a single visual language.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eChoosing the right size and finish\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eArtwork can feel intimate at smaller sizes and dramatically more architectural at larger ones. Use the room preview, model image and size guide to see how the proportions and scale will work in your space.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eIf you need an exact size, specialist framing or help planning a larger display, \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/contact-us\"\u003eask our workshop for advice\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe model in the listing images is holding the 36x24in (90x60cm) version of this art print.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWhere personalisation is available, you can add a short title or dedication, or one considered visual detail. \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/map-personalisation\"\u003eSee examples of personalised artwork\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eChoose Original to retain the colour and character of the source artwork, or Aged for a warmer, more antique appearance. \u003ca target=\"_blank\" href=\"\/pages\/sepia-aged-maps\"\u003eSee examples of our Aged artwork\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eEvery piece is produced to archival standards using fade-resistant pigment inks on acid-free matte art paper. Choose an art print, framed art print or framed canvas using the finish options above.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eFramed art prints use crystal-clear optical acrylic for excellent clarity, lower weight and safer delivery than glass. Each piece arrives professionally framed and ready to hang.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eSelected artworks can be produced at statement sizes up to 3 metres (10ft). Custom sizing and \u003ca target=\"_blank\" href=\"\/pages\/custom-framing\"\u003especialist framing\u003c\/a\u003e are also available. If the exact option you need is not listed, \u003ca target=\"_blank\" href=\"\/pages\/contact-us\"\u003econtact our workshop\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"The Unique Maps Co.","offers":[{"title":"12x18in (30x45cm) \/ Art print","offer_id":59984789045632,"sku":null,"price":83.0,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":true},{"title":"12x18in (30x45cm) \/ Framed art print","offer_id":59984789078400,"sku":null,"price":223.0,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":true},{"title":"12x18in (30x45cm) \/ Framed canvas","offer_id":59984789111168,"sku":null,"price":233.0,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":true},{"title":"14x24in (36x60cm) \/ Art print","offer_id":59984789143936,"sku":null,"price":134.0,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":true},{"title":"14x24in (36x60cm) \/ Framed art print","offer_id":59984789176704,"sku":null,"price":318.0,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":true},{"title":"14x24in (36x60cm) \/ Framed canvas","offer_id":59984789209472,"sku":null,"price":339.0,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":true},{"title":"24x36in (60x90cm) \/ Art print","offer_id":59984789242240,"sku":null,"price":176.0,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":true},{"title":"24x36in (60x90cm) \/ Framed art print","offer_id":59984789275008,"sku":null,"price":509.0,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":true},{"title":"24x36in (60x90cm) \/ Framed canvas","offer_id":59984789307776,"sku":null,"price":530.0,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":true},{"title":"28x45in (70x114cm) \/ Art print","offer_id":59984789340544,"sku":null,"price":244.0,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":true},{"title":"28x45in (70x114cm) \/ Framed art print","offer_id":59984789373312,"sku":null,"price":974.0,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":true},{"title":"28x45in (70x114cm) \/ Framed canvas","offer_id":59984789406080,"sku":null,"price":974.0,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":true},{"title":"31x50in (79x127cm) \/ Art print","offer_id":59984789438848,"sku":null,"price":445.0,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":true},{"title":"31x50in (79x127cm) \/ Framed art print","offer_id":59984789471616,"sku":null,"price":1853.0,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":true},{"title":"31x50in (79x127cm) \/ Framed canvas","offer_id":59984789504384,"sku":null,"price":1736.0,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":true},{"title":"33x60in (84x150cm) \/ Art print","offer_id":59984789537152,"sku":null,"price":646.0,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":true},{"title":"33x60in (84x150cm) \/ Framed art print","offer_id":59984789569920,"sku":null,"price":2964.0,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":true},{"title":"33x60in (84x150cm) \/ Framed canvas","offer_id":59984789602688,"sku":null,"price":2752.0,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":true},{"title":"44x70in (112x178cm) \/ Art print","offer_id":59984789635456,"sku":null,"price":1091.0,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":true},{"title":"44x70in (112x178cm) \/ Framed art print","offer_id":59984789668224,"sku":null,"price":3970.0,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":true},{"title":"44x70in (112x178cm) \/ Framed canvas","offer_id":59984789700992,"sku":null,"price":3705.0,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0257\/0344\/8638\/files\/file_d0c64b59-b312-4b50-bd5d-32b7ce45c8e8.jpg?v=1790542317","url":"https:\/\/uniquemaps.net\/products\/etrennes-by-alphonse-mucha-1903","provider":"The Unique Maps Co.","version":"1.0","type":"link"}