first artist to paint scenes from modern life? Degas argued it was he, not Manet, to father "Modern Art." His painting, "L'Absinthe" was rejected by the Salon in 1879 as being 'too common' to be considered a fine painting. Until this time, artists costumed their characters.

"Degas portrays the seedier side of Parisian cafe life. The body language and expression of the young girl and her companion show the effects of the rough, poisonous green alcohol, often referred to as the green fairy."

excerpted from Tate Gallery http://www.tate.org.uk/britain/exhibitions/degas/room4.htm

Degas's painting was called outrageous, particularly because he depicted the private lives of celebrity figures: the woman was a well known actress; the man, a bohemian artist.