Fernand Léger’s background in architecture proved to be a defining characteristic of his artistic style. The angular forms and patterns found in the paintings from his ‘mechanical period’ all embody the post-war mentality of order and regulation. The horizontal and vertical lines throughout the canvas provide clarity through their repetition in what initially appears to be a jumbled composition. Léger often worked within what he called the ‘law of contrasts’. Still Life with a Beer Mug (1921) distills the contrasts down to liner angles, circles and curves. Historically the depiction of beer has been used to represent barbarian culture as well as prosperity through human labour (1).
A Michelada is known in Mexico as a cerveza preparada (‘prepared beer’) which can be likened to a shandy. The typical recipe for a cerveza preparada contains tomato juice, Mexican beer and lime juice poured into a salt-rimmed glass. The Mexican Michelada is essentially a Bloody Mary with beer instead of vodka. In the 1940s it was popular to mix beer with hot sauce or salsa. It was during this time that the Michelada was invented. The drink has become commercially popular in the United States with Miller producing ‘Miller Chill’ made with a ‘hint of salt and lime’ as well as Anheuser-Busch producing ‘Budweiser Chelada’ which combines lager, lime, salt, and clamato juice (2).
Michelada
adapted from Gourmet
1 tsp salt
1/2 tsp chili powder
1 lime, halved
2 TB fresh lime juice
1 tsp Worcestershire sauce
Splash of hot sauce
1 chilled dark beer
Mix the salt and chili powder on a small plate. Run a lime half around edge of a pint glass and then rub in the salt mixture to coat the rim.
Add lime juice, Worcestershire sauce, and hot sauce to glass, then top with the beer.
20 comments
Lorraine @ Not Quite Nigella says:
Aug 25, 2009
Ooh very interesting! I#39;ve never tried a Michelada but really like Bloody Mary#39;s so I should really give it a go! :)
shaz says:
Aug 25, 2009
That looks very interesting… I can#39;t say that I#39;d be rushing out to try one – dark beer just isn#39;t my thing. Very informative though, I#39;d never heard of Michelada before.
Megan@Feasting on Art says:
Aug 25, 2009
@Lorraine, they are really yummy!!br /br /@shaz, in Mexico they use light beer so you can easily skip the dark.
Amanda says:
Aug 25, 2009
Very interesting indeed. Think I would try it with a lighter beer as you suggested….br /br /Love your blog by the way.
Heavenly Housewife says:
Aug 25, 2009
I really like the colors in the still life. This drink really looks like it packs a punch lol.
Rosa's Yummy Yums says:
Aug 25, 2009
An interesting drink! I#39;m not a big fan of beer, unless it is cooked ;-P! I love your shots!br /br /Cheers,br /br /Rosa
Anh says:
Aug 25, 2009
Intersting recipe and article on the painting!
Hannah says:
Aug 25, 2009
I#39;ve gotta tell you, the real drink here looks WAY better than the still life. Then again, I#39;m not a real fan of abstract/post modern art, but your photos are still lovely!
Jessica says:
Aug 25, 2009
This sounds interesting and easy enough to make! It#39;d add a little spice to a standard girls#39; night in with beer!
dessert girl says:
Aug 25, 2009
I love that you found a painting titled Still Life with Beer Mug!
petoskeygirl says:
Aug 25, 2009
I know someone who will like the drink. I like the art. He doesn#39;t usually like dark beer, but is a big fan of bloody marys. I will try the drink on him
Anonymous says:
Aug 25, 2009
Was just introduced to Michelada this summer at a new Mex restaurant in town. Excellent stuff. They make them with Modello Negro and they#39;re so filling!
Y says:
Aug 26, 2009
Damn that looks like a tasty beverage!
Julie says:
Aug 26, 2009
I love the primary colors in the still life – the whole piece really pops. And once again, incredible photography.br /br /Congratulations on being featured in an article in the September issue of ARTnews magazine. Awesome article, awesome blog, awesome blogger!
isa says:
Aug 26, 2009
Beautiful painting – I love Fernand Léger!br /I’d never heard of Michelada before, sounds délicious!
the southern hostess says:
Aug 27, 2009
How interesting! I#39;d never heard of it before either, but it sounds tasty.
Forager says:
Aug 28, 2009
Oh I love bloody marys – not a massive fan of beer, but a bloody mary can cross that divide. What an interesting recipe. I#39;ll happily adulterate the next beer I#39;m handed to try this!
lisamichele says:
Aug 29, 2009
First off, I love the painting. Beer in still life as an art form..awesome! Secondly, although I don#39;t drink very much, what an interesting combination. I do like a beer every so often, and Bloody Mary#39;s at a brunch, so Michelada would something I#39;d love to try. The color is cool and it does look lovely!
zested says:
Oct 7, 2009
I get a couple weeks behind on my blogs and miss so many creative posts! This is my favorite painting yet – I wasn#39;t familiar with his work. I love vivid colors and sharp edges of the post-WWI paintings. I#39;ll be sure to check out his stuff next time I#39;m at the Guggenheim or the Met.
Christy says:
Feb 6, 2010
very intriguing drink!