| Absinthe & Art I - Pablo Picasso |
In his early years, particularly during the height of his Cubist period from 1907 to 1914, Picasso was profoundly influenced
by the publicity material he saw in the Parisian bars and cafes he frequented. A print of Charles Maire's famous painting for
Pernod Fils hung in his studio, and is reflected in several of his most famous cubist paintings and collages.
While first hand testimony, such as that from Jean Cocteau regarding the Pernod chromo (see below), is lacking, it seems at
least possible that this newly discovered bronze publicity casting for Absinthe Junod might have influenced the development
of Picasso's 1914 Cubist sculpture "Verre d'absinthe", widely regarded as one of his most original and influential works. The
similarities are striking: both stand around 20 cm tall, both are cast bronze but incorporate a real absinthe spoon on which is
affixed a bronze sugar cube, both have a conical base rising to a vertical "Yvonne" shape. The angled facets at the bottom of
the Junod glass seem also to presage the spatial deconstruction found in Picasso's sculpture.
by the publicity material he saw in the Parisian bars and cafes he frequented. A print of Charles Maire's famous painting for
Pernod Fils hung in his studio, and is reflected in several of his most famous cubist paintings and collages.
While first hand testimony, such as that from Jean Cocteau regarding the Pernod chromo (see below), is lacking, it seems at
least possible that this newly discovered bronze publicity casting for Absinthe Junod might have influenced the development
of Picasso's 1914 Cubist sculpture "Verre d'absinthe", widely regarded as one of his most original and influential works. The
similarities are striking: both stand around 20 cm tall, both are cast bronze but incorporate a real absinthe spoon on which is
affixed a bronze sugar cube, both have a conical base rising to a vertical "Yvonne" shape. The angled facets at the bottom of
the Junod glass seem also to presage the spatial deconstruction found in Picasso's sculpture.
A previously undocumented silver-plated cast brass model of
an absinthe glass, spoon and sugar, apparently made as a
promotional item for Absinthe Junod. Soldered to the top is a
real absinthe spoon, to which is affixed the brass sugar cube.
The worn plating at the base indicates that this item was
probably originally screwed on to a wooden base.
The cast is 18cm tall and weighs just over 3kg.
an absinthe glass, spoon and sugar, apparently made as a
promotional item for Absinthe Junod. Soldered to the top is a
real absinthe spoon, to which is affixed the brass sugar cube.
The worn plating at the base indicates that this item was
probably originally screwed on to a wooden base.
The cast is 18cm tall and weighs just over 3kg.
| Click to see enlarged versions. |
Pablo Picasso: "Glass of Absinthe"
Paris, spring 1914. Painted bronze with perforated silver-plated
absinthe spoon.
Edition of six casts by Kahnweiler, each painted separately.
21.5 x 16.5 x 8.5 cm.
Top: Philadelphia Museum of Art; private collection (sold at
Sotheby's in 1990 for $2 287 817).
Bottom: Metropolitan Museum New York; Musée National d'Art
Moderne Paris; artist's collection (photograph by Bressai 1943);
Berggruen Collection.
Paris, spring 1914. Painted bronze with perforated silver-plated
absinthe spoon.
Edition of six casts by Kahnweiler, each painted separately.
21.5 x 16.5 x 8.5 cm.
Top: Philadelphia Museum of Art; private collection (sold at
Sotheby's in 1990 for $2 287 817).
Bottom: Metropolitan Museum New York; Musée National d'Art
Moderne Paris; artist's collection (photograph by Bressai 1943);
Berggruen Collection.
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Based on a painting by Charles Maire (1845
- 1919), this ubiquitous print advertising
Pernod Fils once hung in almost every bar
and cafe in France.
Unusually, the chromolithograph was
backed on to canvas, and then varnished,
giving it the appearance of an original oil,
enhanced by the custom gilt-wood frame.
Both Picasso and Braque were inspired by
this image, using it as the basis of some of
the very earliest Cubist paintings.
- 1919), this ubiquitous print advertising
Pernod Fils once hung in almost every bar
and cafe in France.
Unusually, the chromolithograph was
backed on to canvas, and then varnished,
giving it the appearance of an original oil,
enhanced by the custom gilt-wood frame.
Both Picasso and Braque were inspired by
this image, using it as the basis of some of
the very earliest Cubist paintings.
Picasso's 1912 "Bouteille de
Pernod et verre".
Pernod et verre".
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