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Absinthe: From Green Fairy to Moral Panic

Once a muse to artists, absinthe became a symbol of societal decline, capturing the complex anxieties of 19th-century France.

absinthe-vichet-vintage-print

In the late 19th century, absinthe was both a cherished cultural icon and a harbinger of societal decay. Known as the “Green Fairy,” it inspired artists, poets, and writers, from Vincent van Gogh to Charles Baudelaire. Yet, by the early 20th century, absinthe was banned in many countries, demonized as the “Green Poison.” How did this transformation occur? The story of absinthe’s rise and fall reflects broader societal fears about class, morality, and the changing fabric of French society during a tumultuous period.

The Rise of the Green Fairy

Absinthe’s origins can be traced to the late 18th century in Switzerland, where it was first marketed as a medicinal elixir. By the mid-19th century, it had become a staple of French café culture, celebrated for its distinctive flavor derived from botanicals like wormwood, anise, and fennel. Its popularity soared, especially among the bourgeoisie and bohemian circles. Absinthe became synonymous with creativity and hedonism, a drink imbued with an almost mystical allure.

Artists and writers found inspiration in absinthe’s intoxicating effects. Toulouse-Lautrec and Degas immortalized it in their works, while Oscar Wilde famously remarked on the “emerald glow” of the drink. This romanticization of absinthe solidified its status as a cultural phenomenon, intertwined with the flourishing artistic movements of the time.

llustration from the cover of La Presse Illustrée, 21 October 1883. Bibliothèque nationale de France. Public Domain.
llustration from the cover of La Presse Illustrée, 21 October 1883. Bibliothèque nationale de France. Public Domain.

From Muse to Menace

The perception of absinthe began to shift in the latter half of the 19th century. As its price fell, absinthe became accessible to the working class, expanding its consumer base but also drawing criticism. It was increasingly associated with moral decline, crime, and poverty. Public health officials and temperance advocates warned of the dangers of “absinthism,” a condition supposedly caused by absinthe’s essential oils and high alcohol content. Symptoms included hallucinations, violent outbursts, and irreversible mental deterioration.

One of the most infamous cases tied to absinthe’s reputation was the 1905 murder in the Swiss village of Commugny. Jean Lanfray, a laborer and habitual absinthe drinker, killed his wife and two daughters in a fit of rage. Although Lanfray had consumed various alcoholic beverages that day, absinthe was blamed for the tragedy. This incident became a rallying cry for anti-absinthe campaigners, leading to a wave of petitions and bans.

‘L’Absinthe’, by Leal da Camara, L’Assiette au Beurre, 5 September 1903. Mary Evans Picture Library.
‘L’Absinthe’, by Leal da Camara, L’Assiette au Beurre, 5 September 1903. Mary Evans Picture Library.

The Role of Media and Medicine

Media sensationalism played a significant role in shaping public opinion. French newspapers frequently published lurid accounts of “absinthe murders,” accompanied by graphic illustrations depicting violence and despair. For instance, La Presse Illustrée’s 1883 article “The Crimes of Absinthe” described a series of violent acts attributed to the drink, reinforcing its association with chaos and moral decay.

Medical experts also fueled the moral panic. Figures like Dr. Robert H. Hazemann published studies linking absinthe to homicide and other violent behaviors. These claims, though later debunked, were widely accepted at the time. The temperance advocate Paul-Maurice Legrain warned that absinthe consumption could unpredictably turn a peaceful individual into a criminal, encapsulating the era’s fears in his chilling phrase, “The green hour is the red hour.”

Absinthe and Class Politics

Absinthe’s fall from grace cannot be understood without considering its shifting social associations. Initially a drink of the elite, it became a scapegoat for broader societal anxieties as it gained popularity among the working class and colonial populations. Critics linked absinthe to the revolutionary fervor of the Paris Commune and the perceived moral failings of the urban poor. Writers like Maxime du Camp portrayed absinthe drinkers as emblematic of societal decay, labeling them “knights of debauchery.”

These class dynamics were crucial in the campaign against absinthe. While other alcoholic beverages like wine and beer were celebrated as symbols of French heritage, absinthe was vilified as a foreign and corrupting influence. Its association with marginalized groups made it an easy target for moral crusaders seeking to impose social order.

A poster for Absinthe
A poster for Absinthe

The Ban and Its Aftermath

The culmination of the anti-absinthe movement was its prohibition in several countries. Switzerland banned absinthe in 1908, followed by France in 1915. The bans were justified by public health concerns but were also driven by political and cultural motives. The Times, reporting on the French ban, described absinthe as a “national curse” and a “poison more powerful in murderous impulses than any other.”

The prohibition of absinthe marked the end of an era, but its legacy endured. The drink’s mystique persisted, immortalized in art and literature. In recent decades, absinthe has experienced a revival, with its production legalized in Switzerland in 2005 and in France in 2011. Modern absinthe, stripped of its most controversial elements, has regained some of its former allure, though its reputation as the “Green Fairy” remains tinged with its darker past.

Conclusion

The history of absinthe is a tale of transformation, from celebrated muse to societal menace. Its rise and fall reflect the tensions of a society grappling with rapid change, where class, morality, and cultural identity intersected. Today, absinthe serves as a reminder of the power of perception and the enduring influence of myth in shaping public consciousness. By examining its history, we gain insight into the fears and aspirations of a bygone era, as well as the complexities of our own.

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