Lagvanec Lecture! The Life and Times of Alphonse Mucha

Cyril Lagvanec, PhD, the curator of the American-Italian Research Library located on the second floor of the East Bank Regional Library, will give a lecture on the life and art of Alphons Mucha at 7 p.m., Tuesday, Dec. 9, at the East Bank Regional Library, 4747 W. Napoleon, Metairie.

This event is free of charge and is open to the public.

Alfons Maria Mucha (July 24, 1860 to July 14, 1939) was a Czech painter and illustrator and graphic artist whose work was one of the major symbols of Art Nouveau. He was widely known for his distinctly stylized and decorative theatrical posters, particularly those of Sarah Bernhardt. He produced illustrations, advertisements, decorative panels, as well as designs, which became among the best-known images of the period. 

In the second part of his career, at the age of 57, he returned to his homeland and devoted himself to a series of 20 monumental symbolist canvases known as The Slav Epic, depicting the history of all the Slavic peoples of the world, which he painted between 1912 and 1926. In 1928, on the 10th anniversary of the independence of Czechoslovakia. he presented the series to the Czech nation. He considered it his most important work.

Cyril Lagvanec earned his undergraduate degree in history from Baylor University, his master’s degree in British and European History from Tulane University, and his doctoral degree in American History from Texas A&M University. Through his long career, Dr. Lagvanec has taught at Jesuit High School, Tulane, Loyola, Delgado, Southeastern Louisiana University in Hammond, East Carolina University, and Texas A&M. 

Program inquiries should be directed to Chris Smith, Manager of Adult Programming, at 504-889-8143 or wcsmith@jefferson.lib.la.us.

Media inquiries should be directed to David Johnson, Director of Marketing and Engagement, at 504-849-8826, or djohnson@jplibrary.net.