Previous Next

Au Chocolat, 2016

Nowadays, chocolate represents a sensual approach to life, seeking pleasure and happiness. Historically chocolate was seen as an invaluable, sacred and even magical beverage — a symbol of power, a privilege of warriors, royalties and nobles. All Aztecs thought of blood (red colour dots) and chocolate as sacred liquids and the connection between them was so strong, it was served to warriors and at solemn initiation ceremonies for the elite.Mesoamericans used cacao beans (silhouette form of the main image) as currency. Drinking chocolate was like sipping on cash — kind of like lighting your cigar with a hundred dollar bill. Even during the 17th century chocolate remained a fashionable drink throughout Europe and was largely a privilege of the rich. The painting symbolizes status, wealth, power and the pleasures of life.