Alphonse Mucha (Czech, 18601939) became an overnight sensation in 1894 when his poster for actress Sarah Bernhardts Gismonda hit the streets of Paris. His poster, revolutionary in its use of pastels, its narrow shape, and the halo effect around his subjects head, was so popular that collectors bribed bill stickers for them. Mucha went on to produce color lithographs featuring beautiful young women for calendars, postcards, theater programs, menus, and more in Mucha style, later known as art nouveau.