Tea Party Diva - Life & Craft

About the Artist

Mary Cassatt (1844-1926) was an American Impressionist painter. As there were few opportunities in America to further her studies, she went to Europe and settled in Paris, where she joined the Impressionist movement. Her compatriots in the Impressionist movement were the likes of Degas and Renoir.

Mary Cassatt lived in Paris for many years, returning to America to live only later in life. It is thought that this painting was exhibited in the Paris art exhibitions, known as “salons”. When in America, Cassatt lobbied art galleries, museums and private collectors to make sure that Impressionist works were represented in their collections.

Her family and friends were frequent subjects, as in The Lady at the Tea Table. Cup of Tea, also known as Portrait of Lydia is of her sister, Lydia Simpson Cassatt, who also featured in some of Mary’s other paintings, such as Lydia Crocheting in the Garden at Marly, now housed in New York’s Metropolitan Museum of Art.

About the Painting - Cup of Tea or Portrait of Lydia

Cup of Tea is more about the relaxing ambience of Lydia enjoying an everday ritual of a cup of tea, than a detailed portrait of Lydia herself. Like her fellow Impressionists, Cassatt drew from everyday life for her inspiration and subjects. In particular, many of her paintings feature women and children going about their daily work and social interactions.

Techniques and Effects

The shades of pink and the use of light to effect a shimmery effect and reflections, add to the serenity of the scene. This portrait of Lydia shows Mary’s skill in using colour and light. This was one of Cassatt’s earlier Impressionist works. The nuances of shading and luminscent quality of the colours in Cup of Tea can be better seen in an enlarged view of the painting.

Experts at the Metropolitan Museum of Art said about Portrait of Lydia

Great attention has been devoted to the effects of reflected color, for example, the luminous quality of the pink dress is reinforced by pink on the arm of the chair, the underside of the saucer, the white glove, and the woman’s face. Through the sketchlike green background, unprimed canvas is visible in peripheral areas. While the use of the canvas as part of the composition contributes to the spontaneity of the image, it was criticized by the establishment, who thought this avant-garde innovation evidenced lack of finish.

Where You Can See It

This painting is housed at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City.
It is oil on canvas - 36 3/8 x 25 3/4 in. (92.4 x 65.4 cm)

Tea in Art