“The Absinthe Drinker” by Edgar Degas is a classic oil painting that straddles the realms of impressionism and realism. Originally titled “L’Absinthe,” it has also been known in English as both “In a Cafe” and “Glass of Absinthe.” The artwork depicts a woman quietly sipping the potent greenish alcoholic drink, absinthe, in the Café de la Nouvelle-Athènes in Paris. Degas carefully selected two characters for this scene: actress Ellen Andrée and painter Marcelin Desboutin. Beyond its surface, the painting serves as a commentary on social differences during Degas’s time, highlighting the woman’s struggles. The bottle of absinthe symbolizes self-destruction, emphasizing society’s moral decay. While Degas is best known for his ballerina dancer paintings, L’Absinthe stands apart, capturing a moment of quiet contemplation amidst the bustling café scene123. The original masterpiece now resides in the permanent collection of the Musée d’Orsay in Paris.