Absinthe extra-supérieure J. Édouard Pernot 1900 - 1905

Editor: So, this poster is called "Absinthe extra-supérieure J. Édouard Pernot" by Leonetto Cappiello, placing it around 1900-1905. It's undeniably striking, especially with the caricature style. What immediately jumps out at you when you see it? Curator: Well, aside from the bold aesthetic of the Art Nouveau style typical of advertisement of the time, my eyes are drawn to the careful visual encoding of bourgeois leisure and the burgeoning absinthe culture. Consider the exaggerated features: they act almost as talismans, connecting to archetypal figures. Do you recognize what the artist invokes in the visual contrast between man and woman, in the balance of dark colors with the bright hue of the alcoholic beverage? Editor: I think I see it – the man’s darker tones give a sense of established societal norms, while the absinthe, and perhaps the woman herself, hints at something…freer? Curator: Precisely. It’s no accident. The green liquid and her bright red hat aren’t just colors; they're potent signifiers challenging social structures. Green was commonly associated with envy or jealousy in European traditions, with other dark forces also. Is this drink, therefore, the key to crossing boundaries or simply a tempting trap? Consider the psychological pull and its effect on its first audience. What sort of message were they to expect after one or two glasses? Editor: I never considered how much weight simple elements like color can hold. It really does become a loaded image when you dig deeper. Curator: Indeed. By understanding these visual keys, we decode the cultural values circulating at the turn of the century, and appreciate the power of the poster far beyond just selling a drink. Editor: I see now that advertisement carries far more of a story that initially perceived.