Job, 1897

Illustrator Alphonse Mucha (1860-1939), born in Moravia (now in the Czech Republic), was a key figurehead of the Art Nouveau movement. His densely-patterned posters take inspiration from the 'femme nouvelle' subject with strong young women depicted in goddess-like robes. Each piece is a celebration of warmth and lush organic form - Mucha's defiant statement against an inflexible, industrialised world.