Privat-LivemontBelgian, 1861–1936Bitter Oriental
Can I see it?
Not on view at present
Where is “Bitter Oriental” now? Collection: Minneapolis Institute of Art, Minneapolis. Not on view at present. Checked September 29, 2026.
Minneapolis, United States
It belongs to the collection, but is not on display at present.
- Checked
- In this state since
- Source
- The museum
About the work
Privat-Livemont’s "Bitter Oriental" poster advertised a brand of aperitif bitters, a type of herbal alcoholic beverage typically consumed before meals to stimulate appetite. These drinks were popular across Europe in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, often marketed with exotic or luxurious imagery to appeal to middle- and upper-class consumers.
The "Bitter Oriental" poster, like many of Livemont’s works, features a glamorous woman—here with dark flowing hair and sheer see-throgh clothing—surrounded by his Art Nouveau take on exotic motifs: crescent moons, and stylized peacock feathers or lotus blossoms. The use of “Oriental” in the brand name and visual elements reflect the era’s fascination with the exotic and the East, though it does so through a romanticizing Western lens typical of the time.
Minneapolis Institute of Art
Details
- Accession number
- 2025.71.3
In the catalog
Sources
- Minneapolis Institute of Art
- Image: Minneapolis Institute of Art — public domain
