Created in 1889 by the writer Léon Deschamps, La Plume was a monthly publication featuring poems, short stories, exhibition reviews and illustrations by avant-garde artists. It counted Bonnard, Grasset, Toulouse-Lautrec and Ensor among its contributors. The magazine also organised regular exhibitions, known as the Salon des Cent, at its premises at 31 rue Bonaparte in the 6th arrondissement.

In 1897, to coincide with his solo exhibition at the Salon des Cent, six editions of the magazine were dedicated solely to Mucha's work.

On the cover of the August edition, a red haired woman holding a large feather reaches beyond the frame of the composition. The feather belongs to Pegasus who inhabits the entire background with his stylised blue wings. The dark blue backdrop beyond is set with six-pointed stars.