Absinthe: The first glass, the sixth glass, from 'The Chinese of Paris," published in Le Charivari, December 22, 1863

This lithograph, titled "Absinthe: The first glass, the sixth glass," captures a man's descent into inebriation across two distinct moments. On the left, a man sits upright, holding a glass of absinthe with a relatively clear gaze, his posture still somewhat composed. The right side of the image presents a stark contrast: the same man, now slumped forward, his head resting heavily on the table, the glass still clutched in a limp hand. His hat, once perched on his head, has fallen, adding to the disheveled scene. This work appeared in the Parisian newspaper Le Charivari in 1863, a publication where Honoré Daumier regularly contributed his incisive social commentary. It reflects a growing public concern in 19th-century Paris about the potent, fashionable drink and its effects on individuals and society.