Absinthe and Still Life Paintings
Absinthe’s Green Fairy elixir sparks artistic inspiration across media. Its vibrant green hue fills canvasses, inviting viewers into its dreamlike world. Meticulously captured textures range from velvety soft flower petals to rough wooden grains for an immersive canvas you can touch; shadows dance across compositions adding depth and emphasizing forms.
This artwork is an exemplary still life from the 19th century, which was highly popular. Still lifes can be painted, drawn, photographed or even sculpted and the objects included can vary widely from skulls and extinguished candles to bowls of fruit; often portrayed are symbols of mortality or vanity such as skulls, extinguished candles and hourglasses in these memento mori or vanitas paintings.
Absinthe was initially banned in Switzerland during the early 20th century following a grisly murder case where two glasses of absinthe were consumed by one of the suspects responsible. Its popularity later rebounded as Switzerland lifted their ban in the 90s, prompting its revival and making this drink once more fashionable than before.
Absinthe may have its share of myths surrounding it, but its enjoyment is relatively straightforward. A typical serving involves mixing one tablespoon of absinthe with water and simple syrup for an enjoyable louche effect that would remind Parisian guinguettes and impressionist painters like Vincent van Gogh of how they enjoyed drinking their drinks!