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Absinthe drinkers in a Paris cafe
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Absinthe drinkers in a Paris cafe
Absinthe drinkers (Verlaine and his companions) in a Paris cafe. Date: 1907
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Media ID 7109265
© Mary Evans Picture Library 2015 - https://copyrighthub.org/s0/hub1/creation/maryevans/MaryEvansPictureID/10000992
Absinthe Alcohol Alcoholic Alcoholism Cafe Cafes Companions Drinker Drinkers Drunk Drunkard Friends Gloomy Glum Parisian Strong Tables Unhappy Verlaine Waiter Waiting 1907
EDITORS COMMENTS
Absinthe: The Green Fairy's Gloomy Embrace" In this evocative photograph from 1907, captured by an unidentified photographer, we witness a group of melancholic absinthe drinkers in a Parisian café. Among them, the poet Paul Verlaine, known for his association with the Green Fairy, the mythical muse of absinthe. The image exudes an air of unhappiness and despair, as the men, with glum expressions, intently focus on their glasses, their companionship seemingly providing little solace. The table before them is adorned with empty food plates and half-empty glasses, a testament to the hours spent in this dimly lit, smoke-filled establishment. The waiter, standing in the background, waits patiently for the next round, his expression a mix of resignation and concern. The men's attire, ranging from formal suits to casual workwear, adds to the contrast between the elegance of the setting and the degradation of the scene. Absinthe, a potent and controversial spirit, was a favorite among the artistic and literary circles of Paris during the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Its reputation as a muse and a destroyer of creativity and sanity fueled both fascination and fear. In this photograph, the men's drunken state serves as a stark reminder of the strong hold the Green Fairy had on its devotees. The dimly lit café, with its worn-out tables and chairs, creates an atmosphere of quiet desperation, as if time itself has come to a standstill. The men, lost in their own thoughts, seem to be waiting for something, perhaps for the next drink to numb their pain or for the Green Fairy to grant them inspiration. This photograph offers a glimpse into the lives of these Parisian absinthe drinkers, a poignant reminder of the complex relationship between art, creativity, and the destructive power of alcohol.
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