Absinthe in the Afternoon

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Gustave Doré by Nadar, 1855. The legendary Engraver who worked with Milton, Poe, and Dante, amongst others.

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Left- An advert for Rosinette Absinte, a pink absinthe popular with and targeted towards women, Right- ‘L’Absinthe’ Edgar Degas (1875-1876) 

This painting depicts actress and model Ellen Andrée sitting with a glass of Absinthe in the Café de la Nouvelle-Athnes in Paris. It was to reflect the effects of Absinthe and of social isolation. Painted in the late 19th century the painting was received badly, even booed when on display and declared ‘vulgar’. Although both images depict wealthy, well dressed ladies of leisure, the contrast between the ideal and perhaps the reality is still seen in advertising tactics today. 

Original sources and more information with these useful links HERE and HERE.

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Thirty-fourth Street, New York, N.Y., c.1900′s.

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Maude Fealy, c.1910′s.

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‘Absinthe Robette’ (1896) and ‘Bitter Oriental’ (1897)

The base of Absinthe, Wormwood, is first recorded as being used as a medicinal tincture by the ancient Greeks and Egyptians. 

Gradually other herbs such as fennel and anise were added to create, in around the 18th century, Absinthe as we know it today. It was still recommended as a medicinal drink, French soldiers even taking it as a preventative of malaria. It enjoyed its heyday until it was banned in the early 1900′s in many parts of Europe and America on account of its hallucinogenic properties. It was seen to create the “crazy and criminal’ as well as being thought to cause tuberculosis and epilepsy. It was never banned in the UK but suffered a massive slump in popularity. With new food safety laws there was a small revival of Absinthe in the UK from the 1990s, with other countries such as America reviewing their bans. The States then legalised the drink again in 2007.  

Use these great links HERE and HERE for original information sources and images.

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Anne Brigman (1869-1950) The Wondrous Globe 1912 Photogravure (from Camera Work) 21.1 cm x 19.9 cm Museum für Kunst und Gewerbe Hamburg / Artblart

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Hot air balloon postcard, c1905

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Vesta Tilley, c.1900′s.

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Swift’s Comet. April 4, 1892, left, and April 6, 1892. A popular history of astronomy during the nineteenth century. 1902.

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Hermione Wilhelmina Fitzgerald (née Duncombe), Duchess of Leinster (1864-1895), Society beauty; wife of 5th Duke of Leinster; daughter of 1st Earl of Feversham. This photo of the Duchess of Leinster probably dates to 1889

[nemfrog]

Frontispiece to a salacious exposé of the Church of LDS. The mysteries of Mormonism. 1881.

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Atlantic City, c.1910.

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Henry - Hatter. 1918.

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Cécile Sorel

Céline Émilie Seurre, known as Cécile Sorel was a french comic actress. 1873-1966

[rivesveronique]

René Le Bègue

Portrait, 1903

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Cécile Sorel

Céline Émilie Seurre, known as Cécile Sorel was a french comic actress. 1873-1966

[ladylabsinthe]

Asta Nielsen as Nelly Panburne in “Die Suffragette” (1913)