The artwork “At Gennelle, Absinthe Drinker” was created by Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec in the year 1886. Crafted using oil and ink on canvas, it stands as a quintessential example of genre painting within the Post-Impressionism movement. Measuring 55 by 49 centimeters, the artwork presently resides in a private collection.
This work by Toulouse-Lautrec captures the essence of a solitary figure—a moment of quiet introspection or perhaps disconnection. The subject is portrayed in profile, seated with her back partially turned to the viewer. She appears to be engrossed in thought, oblivious to her surroundings. The glass of absinthe, poised on the table next to a small container, suggests the subject’s indulgence in the eponymous beverage, which was notably popular and associated with the bohemian lifestyle of late 19th-century Paris. The loose and expressive brushwork typical of Toulouse-Lautrec’s style conveys not just the individual’s physical appearance but hints at the psychological state as well. The earthy, muted tones contribute to the mood of the piece, which might suggest contemplation, melancholy, or inebriation. The painting encapsulates the essence of an era and the Parisian social fabric through the lens of the artist’s intimate, human-centered perspective.
