COGNAC BISQUIT

Now that the sun sets shortly after five o'clock, and the last of the leaves have begun to fall, I'm fully embracing the colors of the landscape. I love the warm, rich hues of late fall, and the hint of winter on the horizon.

The color cognac, represented by my sweater and boots and the surrounding landscape, is named after the red-brown hue of French brandy. The rich shade of cognac in an autumn vista always brings to mind the work of Czech artist Alphonse Mucha (1860-1939).

Interestingly enough, not only does Mucha use the color of cognac as a signature in his work, he created a poster for Cognac Bisquit brandy, which is one of his most well-known prints.

Widely regarded as the earliest and most famous proponent of Art Nouveau, Mucha's prints and posters are characteristic of the prevailing artistic style of the Victorian period.

The stylized print and neoclassical drama of these images reflect the Art Nouveau idea of overly ornate work with a focus on the expertise of the artist.

Although Mucha's work was considered passé at the time of his death, it has been cemented in the history of art as the greatest example of the Art Nouveau style.

I can't help but see Mucha's palette and romantic sensibility in the late fall landscape.

I'm wearing a vintage cardigan and skirt, Sally Tseng cutout henley, Betsey Johnson tights, Sam Edelman boots, and an H&M Fashion Against AIDS necklace.

[Mucha images from illusionsgallery.com, abcgallery.com, dailyartfixx.com, and backtogether.org, respectively.]