Absinthe Posters
Here’s a cheap and unique way to enliven that bare wall: Reproduction posters advertising absinthe.
The height of the absinthe boom in the late 19th century, coincided with the rise of the large lithographic advertising poster as a powerful commercial and artistic medium – pioneered by the work of Jules Chéret. Some of the greatest poster artists of the period – Cappiello, Privat-Livemont, Lefevre, Tamagno – created famous images to advertise the absinthe grand marques.
The Virtual Absinthe Museum has paired with Allposters.com to create vintage reproduction posters out of prints and advertisements from the museum’s collection. There’s some great Art Nouveau-type prints, along with darker and grittier works showing the downside of the Green Fairy. These would be a great way to add a dollop of bohemian decadence to a room.
Posted in Bad Things, Paint It Black | 3 Comments »
May 2nd, 2008 at 6:11 pm
Have you ever tried absynthe? I love the aura around the drink, the psychedelic and trippy artwork, the beautiful absynthe spoons…but honestly, it tastes like cough syrup! My bottle has sat in my bar for years now (all other bottles are lucky to make it over a weekend) – I get it out now and again to make sure my tastes haven’t changes, but I just go away feeling like I have gargled mouth wash!
May 4th, 2008 at 1:23 am
I was reading something on either Boing Boing or kottke earlier this week about a chemical analysis of the contents of old, pre-ban absynthe bottles. Whoever did the study surmised, concluded, opined, that absynthe drinkers were merely drunk on alcohol and that the after-effects promoted to legendary status were the effects of alcoholism.
I don’t know. I think the Green Fairy imagery alone would be enough to trip me out.
May 5th, 2008 at 3:54 pm
I didn’t know anything about absithe until I saw Bram Stokers Dracula. That sexy little scene where he says in his breathy voice about the ‘green fairy…’ Yum, I’ve never wanted to be bitten by a vampire so much.
Anyway, I love the idea of these posters, I’m gonna sneak over and check them out. Be a nice addition to a bar or kitchen or my bedroom. (kidding)