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The legacy of absinthe as a mysterious, addictive, and mind-altering drink continues to this day. Though its psychoactive effects and chemical makeup are contested, its cultural impact is not. Absinthe has played a notable role in the fine art movements of Impressionism, Post-impressionism, Surrealism, Modernism, Cubism... and in the corresponding literary movements. The legendary drink has more recently appeared in movies, video, television, music, and contemporary literature. The modern absinthe revival has had a notable effect on its portrayal. It is often shown as an unnaturally glowing green liquid demonstrating the influence of contemporary marketing efforts.
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Absinthe has a widely documented role in 19th century visual art. Though much of the history surrounding absinthe is controversial its artistic impact cannot be overstated.
painting "L'Absinthe" (1876) portrayed grim absinthe drinkers in a cafe. Degas himself never called the painting "L'Absinthe"; it was either his art dealer or a later owner who gave it the name. Years later, it set off a flurry in the London art world, and the grim realism of "L'Absinthe" (a theme popular with bohemian artists) was perceived by London art critics as a lesson against alcohol and the French in general.[citation needed]
was notorious for his consumption of the green muse. He often painted impressionistic scenes of the brothels and night spots[1] of 19th century Montmartre (a neighborhood synonymous with absinthe consumption)[2]. Lautrec was even known to carry a hollow cane filled with absinthe during long nights out in Paris[3]. The painting Monsieur Boileau au café is probably Lautrec's most noteworthy work featuring absinthe. However, this is debatable since the beverage was a frequent addition to his paintings.
began his career with The Absinthe Drinker (1858), oil on canvas [4] demonstrating that at least he was exposed to the drink and its effects.
depicted absinthe in different media, including the paintings "Woman Drinking Absinthe" (1901) and "Bottle of Pernod and Glass" (1912), and the sculpture "Absinthe Glass" (1914).
is known for consuming large quantities of absinthe[8]. His bold use of flat color has also been attributed to the influence of absinthe[9].
As prominent as absinthe's influence on visual art was, it is perhaps even more noteworthy in the context of 19th century literature. Below is a short list of important authors who credited a portion of their literary success to the drink.
Wilde was an avid absinthe consumer and often wrote about the drink in connection with the creative process. Oscar Wilde has been quoted as saying, "What difference is there between a glass of absinthe and a sunset?"[10][11] and "After the first glass [of absinthe] you see things as you wish they were. After the second, you see things as they are not. Finally, you see things as they really are, and that is the most horrible thing in the world."[12].
In Ernest Hemingway's For Whom the Bell Tolls, disappointed with the quality of other liquor available, Robert Jordan turns to absinthe while fighting with the loyalist guerrillas. Absinthe is also featured in Hemingway's short story Hills Like White Elephants. Hemingway himself was a frequent absinthe drinker and most likely procured his absinthe from Spain and Cuba after the ban.[13]
was an avid absinthe drinker. Though he never wrote specifically about absinthe he did reference it in his famous poem "get drunk"[14]
was a famous Parisian poet of the Bohemian style, Though he wrote extensively about the benefits absinthe in his early years, he later claimed to have consorted with prostitutes and men while drinking it, and blamed the beverage for his downfalls. Even when he was on his deathbed, his friends were said to be hiding bottles for him under his pillow[15].
was a young Parisian poet who was notably involved in a homosexual relationship with Paul Verlaine. They famously drank large quantity's of absinthe together. Their relationship ended when Rimbaud and was sentenced to prison. Later in life Rimbaud quit drinking absinthe and writing poetry and instead became involved in military exploits and gun running. He is still regarded as one of France's greatest poets[15].
was an important English poet who notable wrote a poem dedicated to absinthe called "Absinthia Taetra"[16].
was a naturalistic French author. He is generally considered one of the greatest French short story writers[17]. In one famous work of prose "A Queer Night in Paris" he describes the smells and sensations of absinthe in the streets of Paris and makes an overt reference to "the hour to take absinthe"[18].
is notably the author of the French absurdist play, Ubu Roi. Jarry claimed to use absinthe to "fuse together the dream and reality, art and lifestyle" [15]. The drink was purported by the author to be a key part of his creative process.
Absinthe figures heavily into the plot of The Basic Eight, a 1999 novel by Daniel Handler, which features Bohemian characters of which are drawn to absinthe by its dangerous history.[19]
Gemma Doyle, the main character of Libba Bray's 2007 sequel (set in 1895) drinks Absinthe with her friends at a Christmas ball, and experiences hallucinatory effects.
The characters in Poppy Z. Brite's short story, His Mouth Will Taste of Wormwood discover a crate of absinthe, the consumption of which forms the backdrop against which their transgressive antics occur.
Though less noteworthy than its influence in movies, art and literature, absinthe has been depicted in a few television episodes.
The Fine Living Channel's flagship "Thirsty Traveler" reality TV series dedicated an entire episode to absinthe in 2004. The host traveled to several distilleries in different countries and observed the process and flavors of contemporary absinthe[20].
In an episode of CSI, Some Buried Bones, the victim, who is leaving a secret society at Hudson University, returns his absinthe spoon as part of the de-initiation rite. The spoon is later found with the victim[21].
Absinthe played a prominent role in HBO's Emmy-winning, Depression-era drama, Carnivale. The drink is frequently consumed by the mysterious blind seer Professor Lodz (played by Patrick Bauchau) in the television series[22].
Evil immortal Christoph Kuyler is addicted to absinthe.
Absinthe makes an appearance on Anthony Bourdain's Anthony Bourdain: No Reservations during the 2005 pilot episode, "Why the French Don't Suck," in which he visits France. The distilling process is discussed, and he drinks some "real" vintage absinthe. It is suggested through camera effects that he is experiencing hallucinogenic effects[23].
'Corrie' is the UK 's longest-running TV soap. It focuses on the everyday lives of a street-full of people in Manchester, England. Betty Williams of Coronation Street turned to the absinthe in one episode. In a strange coincidence the drink was also featured in rival British soap opra Emmerdale[24].
'Emmerdale' is one of the UK 's oldest soap's. Set in the country the show features interactions of Farmers, villagers and gentry squabbling for socio economic status in Yorkshire, England. Absinthe is featured in one episode and is drunk by actress Diane Sugden.
In 'The Big Lockout' episode of this UK comedy series the character Manny finds himself locked in his shop and precedes to drink an entire bottle of absinthe as a substitute for water. In the episode he expects to go crazy, but ultimately just ends up with a bad hangover.[25]" Bernard refers to it as 'the drink that makes you want to kill yourself instantly.'
In the UK comedy The IT Crowd In series 2 episode 3, at a dinner party, the gothic character Richmond Avenal is offered either beer or wine and asks "have you got any absinthe?, I only drink absinthe", when Jen (the host) proceeds to explain that she doesn't have any absinthe but she does have Carlsberg Richmond replies with "Oh yes Carlsberg will be fine thanks".
In the 2004 film EuroTrip, characters Scott, Cooper, and Jamie drink absinthe while in a club. The drink is shown glowing an electric green, and its consumption causes hallucinations in some of these characters.
The 2001 movie entitled Moulin Rouge! contains a scene prominently featuring Absinthe and the "green fairy", a hallucination supposedly caused by the drink (and, in this movie's case, played by pop star Kylie Minogue and voiced by Ozzy Osbourne.)
Bram Stoker's Dracula (1992) featured absinthe as a key ingredient in Dracula's seduction of Mina. The scene opens with the line "the green fairy lives in the absinthe"
From Hell (2001), is a film about Jack the Ripper where Frederick Abberline (Johnny Depp) is depicted with an addiction to absinthe and Laudanum.
In Alfie, Jude Law's character Alfie drinks Absinthe with a woman prior to sex.
In the 2007 film Blood and Chocolate, Gabriel and several other Loup Garou consume absinthe in the bohemian manner at a popular Romanian bar that their pack frequents.
In Murder by Numbers, Michael Pitt's character Justin Pendleton and Ryan Gosling's character Richard Haywood drink absinthe while plotting murder.
Washington D.C.-based Don & Mike Show has a biannual tradition of doing an entire four-hour show while drinking absinthe, complete with audience participation, interviews, and a news segment.