Cinzano 

Dan Graziano painted "Cinzano" with oil on canvas, a medium that lends itself well to exploring the themes of advertising and consumer culture, in which this work participates. Here, Graziano draws on the visual language of commercial art, a world steeped in its own history and conventions, to create a scene that's both familiar and slightly surreal. Consider the idealized figure floating above, reminiscent of classic advertising tropes, juxtaposed with the bartender diligently preparing a drink below. Is this a commentary on the aspirational nature of advertising, or a celebration of the art of the cocktail? To truly understand this work, one might delve into the history of advertising itself, and consider the ways in which images are crafted to shape our desires and perceptions. And we might explore the historical and cultural meanings of vermouth itself, as well as the evolving social rituals of bars and cocktail culture.