Martini Time is an elegant 14x11 inch original oil painting that captures the timeless sophistication of the classic martini cocktail. Created by contemporary artist Richard Wieth, this striking still life depicts the iconic V-shaped martini glass filled with crystal-clear liquid, garnished with three perfectly positioned green olives on cocktail picks.
 
Wieth's masterful handling of light transforms this simple subject into a study of transparency, reflection, and atmospheric mood. The glass is rendered through subtle gradations of silver-gray, pale blue, and white highlights that suggest both the vessel's form and the liquid within. The olives, painted in rich chartreuse with orange-red pimento centers, provide vibrant focal points against the predominantly cool palette.
 
The background is a tour de force of expressive painting—energetic brushwork in deep charcoal blacks, warm browns, touches of yellow, and hints of blue creates a moody, sophisticated atmosphere that suggests candlelit bars and intimate gatherings. The loose, impressionistic treatment keeps focus on the martini while adding contemporary artistic energy to the composition.
 
Extended Artist Statement
In Martini Time, Richard Wieth explores the martini as cultural icon—a drink synonymous with elegance, sophistication, and the art of cocktail culture. The martini represents more than just spirits and vermouth; it's the pause at the end of the workday, the celebratory toast, the James Bond cool, the Mad Men era sophistication.
 
Wieth approaches the subject with both reverence and contemporary sensibility. Rather than creating a photographic rendering, he captures the essence and atmosphere of the martini moment. The glass itself becomes a study in light, transparency, and form—how to suggest the clarity of fine crystal, the meniscus of liquid, the play of light through gin or vodka, all with economical brushwork.
 
The olives serve as compositional anchors and color counterpoints. Their warm yellow-green tones sing against the cool grays and blacks of the background, demonstrating sophisticated color theory while remaining true to the subject. The visible cocktail picks add vertical elements that lead the eye through the composition.
 
The energetic, almost abstract background isn't mere decoration—it's integral to the painting's meaning. These gestural marks suggest movement, energy, atmosphere, and the contexts where martinis are enjoyed: the buzz of conversation, low lighting, jazz in the background, the clink of glass on glass.
 
Design Impact:
The vertical 14x11 format creates an elegant presence that works beautifully in narrow spaces, above bar carts, or as part of gallery walls. The sophisticated color palette—predominantly blacks, grays, and cool tones with pops of olive green—coordinates with both traditional and contemporary interiors.
Cultural Resonance:
The martini carries cultural weight beyond its ingredients. It represents sophistication, urban life, cocktail hour traditions, and classic American drinking culture. This painting taps into that rich symbolism while maintaining artistic integrity.
 
The Martini in Art & Culture
Cultural Icon Status:
The martini holds a unique place in American culture:
• Literary associations: From Ernest Hemingway to Dorothy Parker
• Film legacy: James Bond’s “shaken, not stirred”
• Television: Mad Men’s celebration of cocktail culture
• Sophistication symbol: The ultimate “grown-up” drink
• Cocktail hour tradition: Mid-century American ritual
• Contemporary revival: Craft cocktail movement rediscovery
Artistic Precedent:
Still life paintings of drinking vessels date back centuries, from Dutch Golden Age beer steins to Impressionist café scenes. Wieth’s cocktail paintings continue this tradition while making it contemporary and relevant to modern life.
The Classic Martini:
The martini depicted appears to be the classic preparation:
• Crystal-clear spirit (gin or vodka)
• Traditional V-shaped glass (martini or cocktail glass)
• Three olives (lucky number, visual balance)
• Cocktail picks (elegant presentation)
• Proper chill (suggested by condensation hints)
This attention to cocktail accuracy adds authenticity while maintaining artistic interpretation.
 
Light & Transparency:
Wieth demonstrates sophisticated understanding of painting glass and liquid:
• Transparency: Suggesting liquid you can see through
• Reflections: Highlights showing glass surface and form
• Refraction: How light bends through liquid and glass
• Atmospheric perspective: Glass edge softness
• Value control: Lightest lights against darkest darks create drama
 
Caring for Your Oil Painting:
• Display away from direct sunlight to preserve colors
• Avoid hanging above heat sources or in steamy kitchens
• Keep away from high humidity environments
• Dust gently with soft, dry cloth as needed
• Never use cleaning products on painted surface
• Consider professional cleaning every 5-10 years
• Professional framing with UV-protective glazing recommended
Display Suggestions:
• Above bar cart for perfect thematic pairing
• In home bar as centerpiece
• Kitchen or dining room for sophisticated touch
• Man cave or entertainment room
• Office for personality and style
• Create martini-themed gallery wall with vintage bar accessories
• Pair with other cocktail paintings from series
• Display on easel on bar or shelf
Framing Recommendations:
The 14x11 vertical format offers numerous framing options:
• Classic: Black or dark wood frame for timeless elegance
• Modern: Sleek black metal frame
• Sophisticated: Silver or pewter frame echoing martini glass
• Mid-century: Walnut or teak frame for retro appeal
• Contemporary: Float mount to show canvas edges
• Mat options: Charcoal gray or black mat enhances sophistication
Lighting Recommendations:
Proper lighting enhances the painting’s drama:
• Warm LED picture light creates bar atmosphere
• Side lighting from left emphasizes glass reflections
• Track lighting positioned at 30-degree angle
• Avoid overhead lighting which flattens the image
• Consider adjustable lighting for different moods
Shipping & Packaging
This original
Protected with bubble wrap 
Packed in crush-proof box with cushioning
Fully insured shipping with tracking
Signature required upon delivery
Continental US shipping: 5-7 business days