Marguerite Gautier, often referred to as Camille, became Sarah Bernhardt’s iconic role in Alexandre Dumas fils’ play “La Dame aux Camélias”, where she breathed life into the dying courtesan. Audiences were often brought to tears during her famous death scene. A famous critic of the time wrote: “She dies like angels would die if they were allowed to.”

Mucha captures the tradgedy of the tale with shocking impact. The grief-stricken heroine leans wearily against a balustrade and is flanked by a background of silver stars. In her hair is a white camelia. Another camelia, this time symbolising death, is held up by a hand at the bottom of the poster. This smooth-stemmed plant contrasts with the thorny roses piercing the hearts at the top of the design, evoking the play’s principal theme – love’s ultimate sacrifice.
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