Sarah Bernhardt played Mélissinde in Edmon Rostand's play La Princesse lointaine at the Théâtre de la Renaissance in Paris from April 1895.

This poster, which breaks away from Mucha's full-length depictions of the actress, was created for a banquet organised by Bernhardt's friends and admirers at the Grand Hotel in Paris on 9 December 1896.

The poster proved so popular that it was reproduced in La Plume magazine, the Edition d'Art and as a postcard for the department store La Belle Jardinière.

Bernhardt wears a tiara in her hair adorned with lilies that was designed by Mucha.