The painter of 'The Absinthe Drinker' is Édouard Manet, a French painter who was a prominent figure in the transition from Realism to Impressionism. Manet's painting of 'The Absinthe Drinker' was created in 1859 and depicts a woman drinking absinthe, a strong alcoholic beverage. The painting was controversial at the time due to its realism and its depiction of a woman drinking alcohol. Manet's painting is now considered a masterpiece and is an example of his innovative approach to painting.