Apotheosis is a large painting that is part of the Slav Epic (Slovanská epopej), a collection of 20 paintings by Alfons Mucha, one of the leading artists of the Art Nouveau movement. Mucha is widely known for his decorative and charming poster-like advertising illustrations and paintings, but few people are aware of the impressive breadth of his artistic talents. Beyond these cheerful vintage marketing works for the public, the Czech artist is one of the last master painters to elevate the classical genre in the 20th century.

Mucha was a spiritual artist, as evidenced by his artistic rendition of Le Pater (known in Latin as "Pater Noster" and in English as Our Father, the Lord's Prayer), which incorporates Hindu and Hebrew influences. Although his intentions may have stemmed from a love for his people and land, the spiritual—or universal and cosmic—dimension of his work predominates. The ability to transform personal narratives and experiences into universal ones is called genius or impersonality. It is rooted in conscious detachment towards personal experiences, and the quest for harmony and non-duality. Impersonality is the mark of enduring art and poetry, and the quality Revue {R}évolution promotes to express genius in the fine arts.

Overall, the heavily decorated illustrations of Mucha such as the ones on the left reflect the influence of Eastern sacred art. In Tibetan Thangka art or Kerala Mural Painting, for example, female and androgynous deities are lavishly decorated with flowers to saturate the viewer's perception and ignite devotion.

Artist's intent and general elements of composition



This symbolist masterpiece tells the story of the Slavs, from the 3rd to the 20th century, through 10 key events. Apotheosis has been crafted with egg tempera on a canvas sized 15.7 x 13.2 ft (4.8 cm x 4.05 m). It is a celebration of slavonic history, resilience, pride and peoples across geographies. The Slav Epic is inspired by Pan-Slavism, a political movement in favor of the integrity and unity of the Slavic people. Yet, this painting, as well as the whole Slav Epic conveys universal sentiments of beauty, marvel, and contemplation far beyond their apparent political intent. 

Apotheosis consists in 4 different parts, delineated with 4 different colors: blue, red, dark blue, and yellow, each symbolizing significant times in the history of the Slavs, from the Barbarian Invasions or Migration Period (4-7th century CE) to the fall of the Austro-Hungarian empire (1867-1918). 

These frank and powerful colors are dimmed and appear uniquely vapory, not quite like the Renaissance's sfumato technique, which tends to darken paintings. Mucha's colors here range from the coldest and lightest hues to the warmest tones. 

Earthly tones symbolism & usage of light

At the center and bottom left corner of the composition, crescent hues of light yellow, orange, ochre, and saturated red-orange evoke passion (action, the present), nascent summer, with maidens carrying young plants and sprouts, symbolizing innocence, celebration, and triumph. 

A central male figure holding ribbons and garlands of flowers standing beneath a rainbow reinforces the sentiment of victory and suggests the dawn of an eternal summer expressed with the most saturated oranges and reds. This Christic figure represents the new Slav in masculine and divine glory. Heroic and solemn, the champion's chest is bare, slightly bony, yet musculous and suggests effort, sacrifice, and reward. The white loin cloth wrapping his waist symbolizes strength, nobility, and purity. 

The earthly tones surrounding the character's solar radiance and zigzagging through the darkest areas of the painting evoke the land, and attachment to the land. Mucha uses more white (light) as a continuity of the hero's radiance to dominate the center of the painting and direct the our eyes to the archetype of the washerwomen. With simple and foldy white dresses and clothes, their presence reinforces the impression of purity and evokes divine eternity, the feminine, innocence, virtue, pride, nobility, and transcendence.

Symbolism of the coldest tones