The influence of art, literature and pop culture by tobacco

If there is talk of smoking, then often of an addiction and the risk of developing. In addition, however, it also represents a phenomenon that has influenced life in the areas of art, literature and pop culture for many centuries.

We will illuminate these areas in more detail in the following article in order to be able to give you a comprehensive insight into the world of smoking and the history of tobacco.

Art of living and enjoyment

In many times, smoking was considered an enjoyable activity. While she was almost typical for certain professional groups, such as intellectuals, artists and journalists, she soon ran through all social classes.

Tobacco consumed primarily in combination with other luxury foods such as coffee, beer, wine or spirits, especially in coffee houses and pubs. These rooms were also in which creative ideas often arose, political debates came up or literary works began.

Today, smoking in many areas of our society has lost acceptance, which is related to increasing environmental awareness, . E-cigarettes are now more popular , for example IQOS Iluma can buy.

Furthermore, it remains undisputed that there was a long time between the enjoyment of tobacco, art, literature and pop culture that can still be seen today .

Smoking in art and literature

How much smoking has influenced the areas of art and literature it becomes clear, among other things, that many famous painters have portrayed or smoked smokers themselves.

These include Pablo Picasso , Vincent van Gogh and Andy Warhol . They often used the cigarette as an accessory, which served to underline mood and personality

Smoking tobacco also played a role in the literature . For example, large writers such as Ernest Hemingway, Franz Kafka and JD Salinger about it and occasionally grabbed the cigarette.

Cigarettes were often used as a symbol of topics such as rebellion, loneliness and passion .

The cigarette in pop culture

Pop culture was also shaped by smoking, which, for example, can be seen from scenes from old films. Famous actors, including Audrey Hepburn, James Dean and Humphrey Bogart, also smoked in their free time.

For a long time, it was a proven stylistic device to strengthen the image or the role of an actor by consuming tobacco. Properties that are associated with this to this day are coolness, melancholy or protest .

Smoking and fashion

Even in the world of fashion, tobacco and smoking have long been an integral part. In fact, the interaction of fashion and smoking has been observed for many centuries and thus allows an insight into the development of socially recognized norms and styles.

Smoking was not only seen as a habit for a long time, but also as a stylish accessory , which - like in pop culture and literature, should express the status and personality of people.

This development can be understood on the basis of the following aspects:

• Cigarette holder for women: This was a popular accessory for women, especially in the 1920s and 1930s. On the one hand, the brackets were very practical, but on the other hand, but also for sophistication and glamor.
• Cigarette patterns on fabrics and smoking in photo shoots: The great influence of smoking as a stylistic device can also be seen in the collections and advertising campaigns of different designers.
• Representation of independence and individuality: Often one took advantage of the rebellious charm of smoking in this way.

Conclusion

Smoking tobacco was seen for a long time as an expression of freedom, individual development and enjoyment. Especially in art, this phenomenon was reflected, be it in literary works, paintings or within the widespread pop culture.

There, smoking, or motives to be combined, were used, for example as symbols for loneliness , rebellion and passion, but also coolness, protest and melancholy.