The subject of absinthe is quite interesting when we compare it with today's mind bending drugs. The artists and other patrons of saloons seemed to enjoy abusing absinthe. Was there an outcry against absinthe even then? Artists recorded various facets of absinthe use. Why? I remember the 60's drug art and all. But, nowadays I don't see too much demand for artworks depicting the crack idled junky as being romantic. Is it all just about perspective?
This sounds like a challenge. How to depict the use of drugs like crack as being romantic? So romantic as to get a patron to part with their money for a painting depicting it's use? Ah, those were the days. By the way, didn't I recall reading somewhere that Vincent sometimes put the paint loaded end of his brush in his mouth? Yummy! Lead, mercury and arsenic to mention a few. Yikes! Heavy (metal) competition for lowly old absinthe. Hey! where did the expression "mad as a hatter" come from? My point? It's all bad.
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