{"product_id":"the-times-of-the-day-morning-awakening-by-alphonse-mucha-1899","title":"The Times of the Day: Morning Awakening by Alphonse Mucha, 1899","description":"\u003cp\u003eAlphonse Mucha’s \u003cem\u003eThe Times of the Day – Morning Awakening\u003c\/em\u003e, created in 1899, personifies daybreak as a serene young woman seated amid luxuriant spring foliage. Swathed in loosely gathered pink drapery, she occupies a tall, narrow composition whose upward sweep is reinforced by a Gothic-style arch. Pale greens, peach, soft yellow and touches of blue give the scene the freshness of early light, while the figure’s quiet expression turns awakening into a moment of suspended stillness rather than sudden activity.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eThe design belongs to a four-image series devoted to the hours of the day, each represented through an idealised female figure and a corresponding natural atmosphere. It was produced at the height of Mucha’s international renown during the Belle Époque, when his distinctive synthesis of figure, ornament and lettering had become closely associated with Art Nouveau. Here, the traditional allegorical figure is recast in a distinctly modern decorative language: sensuous contour, floral abundance and carefully harmonised colour transform a passing hour into an image of enduring poise.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eA closer look\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eThe elongated format directs attention first to the seated woman and then upward through the vegetation surrounding her. Her body forms a supple sequence of bends rather than a rigid vertical: one shoulder drops, the drapery gathers and falls, and the folds of fabric carry the eye towards the lower edge. Its blush-pink tones stand gently apart from the cooler greens behind her, while highlights across her skin and clothing create a soft transition between figure and setting.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eMucha builds the background in layers without allowing it to compete with the foreground. Muted foliage and faint natural forms suggest a landscape receding into pale blue-green distance, while delicate leaves and stems weave through the flatter ornamental passages. Above the woman, clustered floral motifs gather beneath the pointed arch. Repeated curves along the left side and within the border echo the lines of her hair, limbs and drapery, binding figure and frame into a single rhythmic design.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eAt the foot of the composition, the words \u003cem\u003eÉVEIL du MATIN\u003c\/em\u003e provide a firm graphic base. The ornate hand-lettering belongs to the visual structure rather than functioning as a detached caption: its varying scale and decorative forms answer the organic lines above. Nearby, the inscription “Mucha 99” discreetly identifies artist and year. The contrast between this stable lower panel and the vegetation rising through the scene gives the design both clarity and upward movement.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eContext and significance\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eMucha was a Czech artist whose career became inseparable from the visual culture of fin-de-siècle Paris. His work helped define the popular appearance of Art Nouveau through sinuous outlines, stylised flowers, ornamental halos and women presented with a combination of natural grace and emblematic stillness. Although his imagery circulated widely through posters and other graphic forms, its sophistication lies in the way illustration, typography and decorative framing are treated as parts of one coherent composition.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eMorning Awakening\u003c\/em\u003e demonstrates that approach with particular economy. The pointed frame recalls an architectural niche or Gothic window, lending the figure the frontal presence of an icon while replacing sacred attributes with flowers, daylight and flowing cloth. Yet the design never becomes austere: asymmetric foliage, subtle colour gradations and the relaxed pose soften its formal structure. The result is both an allegory of morning and a finely balanced example of Mucha’s ability to make ornament carry mood, narrative and movement.\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 36x14in (90x35cm) 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":"9x18in (23x45cm) \/ Art print","offer_id":67624968094087,"sku":null,"price":76.0,"currency_code":"CAD","in_stock":true},{"title":"9x18in (23x45cm) \/ Framed art print","offer_id":67624968126855,"sku":null,"price":183.0,"currency_code":"CAD","in_stock":true},{"title":"9x18in (23x45cm) \/ Framed canvas","offer_id":67624968159623,"sku":null,"price":203.0,"currency_code":"CAD","in_stock":true},{"title":"12x24in (30x60cm) \/ Art print","offer_id":67624968192391,"sku":null,"price":122.0,"currency_code":"CAD","in_stock":true},{"title":"12x24in (30x60cm) \/ Framed art print","offer_id":67624968225159,"sku":null,"price":289.0,"currency_code":"CAD","in_stock":true},{"title":"12x24in (30x60cm) \/ Framed canvas","offer_id":67624968257927,"sku":null,"price":309.0,"currency_code":"CAD","in_stock":true},{"title":"16x36in (40x90cm) \/ Art print","offer_id":67624968290695,"sku":null,"price":170.0,"currency_code":"CAD","in_stock":true},{"title":"16x36in (40x90cm) \/ Framed art print","offer_id":67624968323463,"sku":null,"price":463.0,"currency_code":"CAD","in_stock":true},{"title":"16x36in (40x90cm) \/ Framed canvas","offer_id":67624968356231,"sku":null,"price":482.0,"currency_code":"CAD","in_stock":true},{"title":"20x40in (50x100cm) \/ Art print","offer_id":67624968388999,"sku":null,"price":212.0,"currency_code":"CAD","in_stock":true},{"title":"20x40in (50x100cm) \/ Framed art print","offer_id":67624968421767,"sku":null,"price":636.0,"currency_code":"CAD","in_stock":true},{"title":"20x40in (50x100cm) \/ Framed canvas","offer_id":67624968454535,"sku":null,"price":636.0,"currency_code":"CAD","in_stock":true},{"title":"22x50in (56x127cm) \/ Art print","offer_id":67624968487303,"sku":null,"price":376.0,"currency_code":"CAD","in_stock":true},{"title":"22x50in (56x127cm) \/ Framed art print","offer_id":67624968520071,"sku":null,"price":1685.0,"currency_code":"CAD","in_stock":true},{"title":"22x50in (56x127cm) \/ Framed canvas","offer_id":67624968552839,"sku":null,"price":1685.0,"currency_code":"CAD","in_stock":true},{"title":"27x60in (70x150cm) \/ Art print","offer_id":67624968585607,"sku":null,"price":511.0,"currency_code":"CAD","in_stock":true},{"title":"27x60in (70x150cm) \/ Framed art print","offer_id":67624968618375,"sku":null,"price":2696.0,"currency_code":"CAD","in_stock":true},{"title":"27x60in (70x150cm) \/ Framed canvas","offer_id":67624968651143,"sku":null,"price":2504.0,"currency_code":"CAD","in_stock":true},{"title":"32x70in (80x178cm) \/ Art print","offer_id":67624968683911,"sku":null,"price":800.0,"currency_code":"CAD","in_stock":true},{"title":"32x70in (80x178cm) \/ Framed art print","offer_id":67624968716679,"sku":null,"price":3611.0,"currency_code":"CAD","in_stock":true},{"title":"32x70in (80x178cm) \/ Framed canvas","offer_id":67624968749447,"sku":null,"price":3370.0,"currency_code":"CAD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0257\/0344\/8638\/files\/file_b95d26cb-6373-4fa8-a172-5b3e1c5b7395.jpg?v=1791151553","url":"https:\/\/uniquemaps.ca\/products\/the-times-of-the-day-morning-awakening-by-alphonse-mucha-1899","provider":"The Unique Maps Co.","version":"1.0","type":"link"}