Among the most celebrated artists of the Impressionist movement, Edgar Degas was also one of the most prolific, leaving behind a wide range of both two-dimensional and three-dimensional works (Pioch, 2002). In a Café or L’ Absinthe was created in 1873, it measures 36 1/4 x 26 3/4 inches and is a characteristic painting by Degas (Pioch, 2002). The artist used oil on canvas for the creation of the work, which depicts an objective scene from a Parisian Café of the end of the 19th century, the time Degas lived and worked (Musée d’ Orsay, 2006).
Lines do not follow the clarity of the Renaissance tradition. Instead details of the painting, like the dress and the hat of the woman or the background seem blurred (Growe, 2001, 32). The treatment of space is highly unusual. The framing is off-center and a great deal of space is left vacant. The two figures, the protagonists of the painting, appear at the far left and part of the man’s hand and pipe are sliced. This device gives the impression to the viewer that he/ she is part of the picture observing the scene from a nearby table (Musée d’ Orsay, 2006). The chosen colors are primarily warm and to a great extent dark setting a specific mood to the picture (Growe, 2001, 32). Equally, light is specifically targeted and the choice of the artist to depict the sketchy shadows of the heads of the figures on the walls of the Café is also indicative of the overall mood of the painting (Musée d’ Orsay, 2006).
Emphasis is placed on the two protagonists not only because they are the only living creatures depicted, but also because they contrast from the repetitive motif of rectangular tables in front of them and the paneling of the walls of the Café. The repetition of the table motif gives a sense of unity and continuation to the picture. The pattern of tables also serves as a directional force leading to and introducing to the viewer the two figures seated one next to another but seeming at the same time lost in their own worlds. The scale and proportions employed are correct as this is a realistic representation of an aspect of Parisian life.
The painting is part of the Impressionist movement, of which Degas was a founding member. As such it breaks with past artistic traditions by introducing a subject from the Parisian life and its inhabitants, as opposed to the religious, mythological or historical subjects preferred by artists from the Renaissance onwards (Tansey and Kleiner, 1996, 989). On the contrary, Degas seems to have looked on eastern traditions for inspiration. Particularly, the artist’s decision to crop the picture –the man’s hand and pipe- was influenced by Japanese prints (Musée d’Orsay, 2006).
Both the Café and the figures represented existed and were very well known to the artist. Degas asked two of his friends, the actress, Ellen Andrée and the artist, Marcellin Desboutin to pose for this work, while the place seems to have been the Café de la Nouvelle-Athènes a popular place frequented by artists and intellectuals of the time (Pioch, 2002). The woman is shown drinking Absinthe, a strong alcoholic drink that was later banned and its use or abuse was central in a 1876 novel by Emil Zola who seems to have been influenced by Degas’ picture (Growe, 2001, 31-32). The man however only drinks coffee and it is highly possible that the artist was not commenting on the abuse of alcohol but was rather focusing on the sad isolation of two people sitting side by side (Pioch, 2002).
Original, forceful and inspiring, L’Absinthe is a powerful representation of an aspect of 19th century Paris. Its composition and off-center framing catch the eye from the first glance. At the same time, the isolation of the figures, seated one next to another but paying no attention to each other looking lost in their thoughts or even sadness are strangely familiar to the viewer almost two centuries after the painting was created. In this respect and for its artistic quality this work remains a classic example of what human creativity and genius can create.
REFERENCES
Growe, B. (2001). Degas. Koln, London, Madrid, New York, Paris, Tokyo: Taschen.
Musée d’ Orsay (2006) Edgar Degas, In a Café. In Works in Focus, Collections, Musee d’ Orsay, Paris.
http://www.musee-orsay.fr/index.php?id=851&L=1&tx_commentaire_pi1[showUid]=2234&no_cache=1
Pioch, N. (2002) Degas, Edgar. Absinthe. In Web Museum, Paris http://www.ibiblio.org/wm/paint/auth/degas/absinthe/
Tansey, R. G. and Kleiner, F.S. (1996) Gardner’s Art Through the Ages. Orlando, FL: Harcourt Brace College Publishers.
