Alfons Mucha (Czech, 1860 - 1939), Title: Allegory of Africa, Period: 80s of the 19th century, Technique: oil on porcelain board with canvas structure, Signed: bottom right Mucha, On the reverse: marked with an embossed mark - the letters LG written in Kurent and the number 487 C 28, Painting dimensions: 49 x 29 cm, Dimensions with frame: 60 x 40 cm, Condition: not restored, painting and frame in original condition, Expert report: Doc. PhDr. Josef Maliva, An extremely rare example of the early work of painter, graphic artist and designer Alfons Mucha (1860 - 1939), one of the most important czech artists and pioneers of the European Art Nouveau, is not only a rare uniqueness, but also a rarity. This work was painted in the 80s of the 19th century and, in terms of its technical execution, oil painting on a porcelain plate with a canvas structure, as far as we know, has no comparable parallels. From 1882 to 1883, the young Alfons Mucha met Count Eduard Khuen-Belassi (1847-1896). It is this nobleman who occupies a special position in Mucha's life. From 1883 to 1889, he was Mucha's first patron and had a decisive influence on the development of Mucha's early artistic career. During the 1880s, Mucha worked for the count on many commissions and took part, among other things, in the decoration of castle Emmahof near Hrusovany nad Jevisovkou and Gandegg Castle in Tyrol. According to available information, Alfons Mucha received an order from Count Khuen-Belassi to create the equipment for the porcelain room, which he only partially realized but did not complete. In all probability, we can to assume that this work presented here was supposed to be part of the equipment of that "porcelain" room.