Early Morning Chocolate 

Pietro Longhi painted this scene of leisure in Venice during the 18th century with oil on canvas. Notice how the ritual of drinking chocolate transcends mere sustenance. It becomes a tableau of social hierarchy and private indulgence. The cup, held delicately, and the carafe, presented by a servant, echo ancient libation rituals. Think of the symposiums of Greece where wine was offered as a symbol of civilisation. The cup is thus a potent symbol, its meaning shifting from religious offering to social currency. In earlier times, one might have offered wine or water. Here it is chocolate, an exotic import. But observe, this isn't merely about drinking; it's about being seen drinking. A performance underscores the subconscious desire for status, echoing in the chambers of our collective memory. We find a yearning for recognition that remains a powerful, and cyclical motif throughout the ages.