Draft:Morphine Addict

1. Vieyra, Natalia Angeles. "Illuminating Addiction: Morphinomania in Fin de Siècle Visual Culture." Athanor 33 (2015): 63-69.

This scholarly article entails the historical context of late 19th-century France. Morphine use surged post-Franco-Prussian War. Initially praised, it led to alarming addiction rates. Amid a discourse of degeneration, morphine became linked to societal decline. Gendered portrayals of female morphinomanes depicted moral bankruptcy and reproductive abnormalities. Artists like Paul Albert-Besnard used paintings to critique bourgeois acceptance. Further, he revealed connections with fashion and societal vices.

2. Besnard, Paul-Albert. n.d. “Paul-Albert Besnard | Morphine Addicts.” The Metropolitan Museum of Art. Accessed February 21, 2024. https://www.metmuseum.org/art/collection/search/334281.

The Met describes Paul-Albert Besnard (1849-1934) as a prize-winning artist. Besnard is best remembered for his eloquent merge of academic and impressionistic styles. His etching of “Morphine Addict” visualizes a feline woman with tragic allure, the epitome of the era’s decadence.

3. RISD Museum. n.d. “Morphine Addicts (Morphinomanes) - Albert Besnard.” RISD Museum. Accessed February 25, 2024. https://risdmuseum.org/art-design/collection/morphine-addicts-morphinomanes-81206.

- Describes the visual quality of the painting. In Besnard's portrayal of drug use, two young women, surrounded by morphine paraphernalia, gaze blankly. Morphine's popularity in 19th-century Paris earned it the moniker "high-society alcoholism." Alternatively titled "The Plume," the image depicts a feather fanning away the drug's odor, with smoke created through acid-resistant varnish, emphasizing negative space.

Les Morphinomanes (Morphine Addicts), frequently referenced as Le Plumet (The Feather), is an etching printed on woven paper established in 1887 by Paul-Albert Besnard. Besnard was a French artist who primarily focused on academic and impressionistic styles. As the morphine epidemic emerged in France post-Franco-Prussian war, Besnard captured the prevailing challenging lives of women marked by sickness, suicides, prostitution, and drug abuse. Les Morphinomanes gives a poignant glimpse into the societal influences and cultural nuances. Artistic styles of Besnard in Les Morphinomanes (explain symbolism/naturalism). The notorious female morphine addicts of fin de siècle France are aptly described as morphinomanes, as the title highlights."
 * 1) Introduction


 * End w/ thesis statement

II. Les Morphinomanes Historical Context  (The Morphine Addicts)"


 * What caused the Morphine epidemic to begin?


 * Post-Franco-Prussian war, French people sought a luxurious “thrill”. Originally, French soldiers were given morphine for gunshot wounds.


 * Briefly describe the Franco-Prussian War


 * From 1870-1871, The Franco-Prissian War consisted of Germany defeating France. The German empire was established, which led to profound consequences for European geopolitics. Can be attributed to territorial disputes and burgeoning nationalism.


 * Why Morphine? Why focus on Women specifically? Explore if women were the primary Morphine users during this era -The depictions of morphine addicts in fin de siècle visual culture contribute to a broader cultural dialogue that anchors feminine pleasure and indulgence as perceived threats to the prosperity of the French Republic.

III. Les Morphinomanes (Morphine Addicts) Description


 * Detailed analysis of the themes, symbolism, and artistic techniques employed in Reception and critical response to "Les Morphinomanes"
 * -  The woman grasps feathers that echo the swirling morphine crystals in the carafe beside her.

-  The emerging feminine archetype depicted in these images differs significantly from the traditional representations of virgins and aristocrats that have historically dominated European art. It also contrasts with the recent portrayal of stylish socialites. Characterized by intense gazes and unpredictable impulses, these distressed women exude a distinct allure that is both less conventionally attractive and more perilous than the iconic femme fatale.


 * Influence on Besnard's artistic trajectory

IV. Besnard's Artistic Style


 * Overview of Besnard's general artistic style
 * Specific elements within "Les Morphinomanes" that exemplify his style
 * The connection between the painting and Besnard's broader body of work

V. Legacy of "Les Morphinomanes"


 * Impact on Besnard's reputation and career (Cite Besnard’s Wikipedia link)
 * Subsequent influence on the Symbolist movement
 * Similar art drawings
 * Continued recognition and analysis of the painting in art history

VI. Besnard's Life  (In addition to"Les Morphinomanes")


 * Brief overview of Besnard's life, education, and career
 * Other notable works and achievements in his artistic journey
 * How "Les Morphinomanes" fits into the broader narrative of Besnard's life

VII. Conclusion