art-Renoir.com

Absinthe may have significantly contributed to Van Gogh's poor health.
When he lived in Paris, absinthe was a popular drinks among artists.
Paul Signac commented that Van Gogh drank steadily drinks of brandy
following drinks of absinthe. By the time Van Gogh left Paris he was in
very poor health and known to say to a friend that drinking and smoking
left him "seriously sick at heart and in body and nearly an alcoholic."
- art-vanGogh.com