Although Mucha had to leave Ivančice in order to pursue his intended career as an artist, he kept in close touch with his family and friends back home. He made many illustrations for the local satirical magazines Slon and Krokodýl which were published by his brother-in-law Filip Kubr.

The mock diploma, which purports to be honouring a local celebrity, is notable mainly for its sensitive illustration of the first line of Karel Hynek Mácha's poem Máj:

       It was the first of May, it was the time of love.

Karel Hynek Mácha was one of the most admired Czech poets.