Bourgeois Frères Print (Cat Drinking Absinthe), 11" x 14"

This print is a reproduction of a 19th-century advertisement for the absinthe brand Bourgeois Frères (Bourgeois Brothers). The image is from a series of photos featuring a black cat drinking absinthe. When water is added to absinthe, the anise (a key ingredient in absinthe) causes the mixture to turn an opalescent white (resembling milk), with a tint of greenish yellow. This process also releases essential oils in the absinthe, which perfumes the air with the sweet smell of anise. This reaction is referred to as an absinthe louche (pronounced loosh).