The artwork titled “The Absinthe Drinker” is an oil on canvas painting created by Pablo Picasso in 1901. This piece exemplifies the Expressionist movement and could be considered a genre painting, depicting a scene from everyday life with emotional overtones. The artwork’s dimensions are 73 x 54 cm. Currently, it is part of the collection at the Hermitage Museum in Saint Petersburg, Russia.
In the artwork, the focus is drawn to a solitary figure, a person who appears to be deep in thought or perhaps lost in a state of contemplation or intoxication, as suggested by the title. The subject is seated at a table with a glass that one can assume contains absinthe, a potent alcoholic beverage historically associated with bohemian artists and writers. The muted, dark tones and loose, expressive brushstrokes convey a sense of melancholy and introspection. The person’s face is partially illuminated, highlighting the redness of their cheeks and the stark whiteness of the collar, contrasting sharply against the overall somber color palette.
The backdrop is indistinct, creating an atmosphere that suggests the subject is engrossed in their own internal world. The use of light and shadow, combined with the character’s evocative posture, captures a moment of personal reverie or detachment from the surrounding environment. Through this work, Picasso communicates a powerful emotional narrative, embodying the essence of the Expressionist movement’s goal to express meaning or emotional experience rather than physical reality.
