In an eagerly awaited auction at Topičově salónu on October 10th, a unique and rare drawing by the renowned artist Alphonse Mucha will be offered for bidding. Titled “Girl with a Flower” and dating back to 1929, this extraordinary piece is expected to generate considerable excitement and interest among art collectors and enthusiasts.

Alphonse Mucha, celebrated for his iconic Art Nouveau style, is renowned globally for his artwork. His posters, drawings, and paintings have captivated admirers not only in his home country of the Czech Republic but also around the world. Jiří Rybář, owner of the Art Consulting auction house, emphasized the scarcity of opportunities to acquire Mucha’s work, noting that most of his creations are part of private collections and rarely appear on the market.

“Alfons Mucha possessed extraordinary talent, had a wide range in the field of visual arts, and became famous as a pioneer of Art Nouveau even during his lifetime. He is still very popular in France, beloved by the Japanese, and highly regarded here in the Czech Republic,” Rybář said in an exclusive interview. He also recalled a significant auction moment in 2007 when Mucha’s drawing “Rudolf II and Tycho de Brahe” sold for 708,000 Czech crowns, tripling its starting price.

The much-anticipated colorful pastel drawing “Girl with a Flower” from 1929 will enter the auction with a starting price of 650,000 Czech crowns. This masterpiece was previously part of the collection of Augustin Mlčoch, a doctor, collector, and philatelist from Kroměříž during the First Czechoslovak Republic.

The October auction at Topičově salónu will also feature other notable artists, including František Kupka and Emil Filla. One of the highlights of the auction is the painting “Gobelin II (Fuga II)” by František Muzika from 1962, with a starting price of 7,500,000 Czech crowns. Additionally, Emil Filla’s “Tray with Fruit and Mandolin (Still Life with Hearts)” from 1930 will also be auctioned for the same amount.

A total of 197 items will be presented at the auction, showcasing the works of artists such as Josef Lady, František Drtikol, Josef Šíma, Jan Bauch, Antonín Procházka, and more.

The upcoming event on October 10th and another on November 12th will conclude this year’s auction season for the Art Consulting auction house. Jiří Rybář noted that the impact of inflation has been significant during this season, prompting more individuals to view investments in fine art as a means to preserve their wealth. The trend of strong interest in art as an investment has been evident in previous auctions, with record-breaking sales and a growing number of collectors recognizing the value of fine art.

Article by Prague Forum