{"product_id":"the-times-of-the-day-brightness-of-day-by-alphonse-mucha-1899","title":"The Times of the Day: Brightness of Day by Alphonse Mucha, 1899","description":"\u003cp\u003eAlphonse Mucha’s \u003cem\u003eThe Times of the Day – Brightness of Day\u003c\/em\u003e, created in 1899, personifies daylight as a poised young woman surrounded by abundant flowers and sunlit vegetation. Her flowing yellow dress forms the warm centre of the tall composition, set against fresh greens and an open blue sky. Mucha encloses the figure within an arched ornamental frame, so that landscape, floral border and human presence become parts of a single decorative design, with something of the luminous order of a stained-glass window.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eThe work belongs to \u003cem\u003eThe Times of the Day\u003c\/em\u003e, a series of four colour lithographs in which Mucha represented the passing hours through female figures. Such personifications allowed him to turn an abstract idea into an intricate visual atmosphere rather than a literal narrative. By 1899, the Czech-born artist was closely associated with the decorative language of fin-de-siècle Paris: elongated formats, sinuous contours and carefully orchestrated ornament. His posters and decorative prints helped dissolve conventional distinctions between fine art and commercial graphic design, making the elegant line and floral rhythm of Art Nouveau familiar to a wide public.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eA closer look\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eThe woman occupies the central foreground, her upright body emphasising the narrow vertical format. One arm extends outwards in an unhurried gesture, while the folds of her pale golden clothing descend in long, supple curves. The fabric is not treated as a solid block: delicate tonal changes suggest its drape and movement, while flower ornaments punctuate the warm yellow with smaller notes of colour. Her softly tousled hair provides another set of flowing lines, linking the figure visually to the curling stems and foliage around her.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eBelow, daisies and other blossoms gather densely around the woman’s feet. Their fine petals create a lively, intricate edge against the broader areas of dress and greenery. The planting is asymmetrical rather than rigidly balanced, giving the lower part of the design a natural, proliferating energy. Greens deepen towards the corners, while the background opens into cooler blue and pale pastel tones. This transition from crowded foreground detail to spacious sky makes the central figure appear both embedded in nature and clearly silhouetted against it.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eThe border is integral to the composition rather than a passive surround. Floral motifs curl through the upper and side margins, repeating the contours of the figure’s pose and gathering the scene into an arch. Mucha’s smooth areas of colour are held together by precise outlines, particularly visible in the petals, strands of hair and overlapping folds of fabric. Along the bottom border appears the French title \u003cem\u003eÉclat du Jour\u003c\/em\u003e—“Brightness of Day”—anchoring the poetic personification within the graphic structure of the print.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eContext and significance\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eMucha’s art became one of the defining visual expressions of the Belle Époque, a period in which posters, magazines and decorative panels transformed the streets and interiors of European cities. His women are often framed by plants, patterned haloes and architectural ornament, yet the decorative density rarely overwhelms their calm presence. Here, the figure’s serenity is set against the fullness of the flowering landscape, creating an image of daytime understood through warmth, growth and clarity rather than through clocks or daily activity.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eBrightness of Day\u003c\/em\u003e is especially characteristic of Mucha’s ability to make ornament carry meaning. The brilliant garment, open sky and profusion of flowers establish the hour through colour and atmosphere, while the narrow frame gives the scene the self-contained elegance of an allegorical panel. Its appeal lies in that union of lucid graphic design and luxuriant natural detail: a summer-like vision in which every contour participates in the rhythm of the whole.\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":67624966029703,"sku":null,"price":39.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"9x18in (23x45cm) \/ Framed art print","offer_id":67624966062471,"sku":null,"price":95.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"9x18in (23x45cm) \/ Framed canvas","offer_id":67624966095239,"sku":null,"price":105.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"12x24in (30x60cm) \/ Art print","offer_id":67624966128007,"sku":null,"price":63.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"12x24in (30x60cm) \/ Framed art print","offer_id":67624966160775,"sku":null,"price":150.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"12x24in (30x60cm) \/ Framed canvas","offer_id":67624966193543,"sku":null,"price":160.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"16x36in (40x90cm) \/ Art print","offer_id":67624966226311,"sku":null,"price":88.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"16x36in (40x90cm) \/ Framed art print","offer_id":67624966259079,"sku":null,"price":240.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"16x36in (40x90cm) \/ Framed canvas","offer_id":67624966291847,"sku":null,"price":250.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"20x40in (50x100cm) \/ Art print","offer_id":67624966324615,"sku":null,"price":110.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"20x40in (50x100cm) \/ Framed art print","offer_id":67624966357383,"sku":null,"price":330.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"20x40in (50x100cm) \/ Framed canvas","offer_id":67624966390151,"sku":null,"price":330.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"22x50in (56x127cm) \/ Art print","offer_id":67624966422919,"sku":null,"price":195.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"22x50in (56x127cm) \/ Framed art print","offer_id":67624966455687,"sku":null,"price":875.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"22x50in (56x127cm) \/ Framed canvas","offer_id":67624966488455,"sku":null,"price":875.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"27x60in (70x150cm) \/ Art print","offer_id":67624966521223,"sku":null,"price":265.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"27x60in (70x150cm) \/ Framed art print","offer_id":67624966553991,"sku":null,"price":1400.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"27x60in (70x150cm) \/ Framed canvas","offer_id":67624966586759,"sku":null,"price":1300.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"32x70in (80x178cm) \/ Art print","offer_id":67624966619527,"sku":null,"price":415.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"32x70in (80x178cm) \/ Framed art print","offer_id":67624966652295,"sku":null,"price":1875.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"32x70in (80x178cm) \/ Framed canvas","offer_id":67624966685063,"sku":null,"price":1750.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0257\/0344\/8638\/files\/file_693141ab-0994-4b84-aafa-fbc20cd55b89.jpg?v=1791151559","url":"https:\/\/uniquemaps.co.uk\/products\/the-times-of-the-day-brightness-of-day-by-alphonse-mucha-1899","provider":"The Unique Maps Co.","version":"1.0","type":"link"}