From March 22nd to November 5th, 2023, Fortiche had the privilege of showcasing our artwork at the Grand Palais Immersif in Paris. As the animation studio behind Arcane, we took part in this exhibition to honor Alphonse Mucha’s revolutionary vision and reveal how his Art Nouveau legacy directly influenced our creative approach to the series.
Art Deco Piltover vs. Art Nouveau Zaun
The visual contrast between Piltover and Zaun is central to the narrative of Arcane. To bring this world to life, our artistic team gave each district its own architectural and visual signature: Piltover draws heavily on Art Deco, while Zaun is rooted in Art Nouveau.
To make Zaun feel authentic, Mucha became our primary historical reference. We even imagined an internal story element: a fictional artist living in the undercity who shared Mucha’s exact artistic style. While this character is never shown on screen, their murals and frescoes fill the streets of Zaun, becoming a key element of Arcane’s graphic identity.
Bringing Alphonse Mucha into Arcane
During early development, Art Director Julien Georgel and our design teams looked for ways to incorporate organic linework into the undercity. Mucha was a natural choice, inspiring both direct references and subtle homage throughout the show:
- Undercity frescoes: Early set designs featured large decorative murals depicting League of Legends champions rendered in Mucha’s iconic style.
- The episode 5 mural: When Vi jumps through Zaun, she passes a massive wall painting inspired by Mucha’s famous poster, redesigned with flowing hair and doves to evoke freedom and femininity.
- Signatures & stained glass: Mucha-inspired curves decorate Zaun’s brothel stained-glass windows, as well as the title card portraits of Vi and Jinx at the start of each episode.
Beyond posters: The influence of The Slav Epic
Mucha’s influence extended beyond his famous posters. Our team was deeply moved by his monumental series, The Slav Epic.
Unlike his poster work, The Slav Epic shifts away from heavy dark outlines toward dramatic, atmospheric painting. This series brought a sacred, biblical gravity to our references, helping our background artists infuse Zaun’s lore with emotional weight and storytelling depth.
Bridging heritage and modern animation
Exhibiting our archives at the Grand Palais Immersif allowed Fortiche to celebrate the bridge between 19th-century fine art and 3D animation. Integrating Alphonse Mucha into Arcane gave us a rich visual foundation, elevating the world-building for fans and design enthusiasts alike.
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