Pioneering Czechoslovakian artist Alphonse Mucha (1860 – 1939) created a sumptuous Art Nouveau style filled with soft colors, curving lines and ethereal women. Mucha was inspired to paint by the artwork he saw in churches. A starving artist in Paris, Mucha skyrocketed to fame after he created a life size poster for Sarah Bernhardt’s play, “Gismonda.” The poster, which differred from current artistic trends, made him a household name and earned him a six-year contract from Bernhardt. In the 1960’s, Mucha’s style was revived, especially in psychedelic posters.