“Study for ‘The Little Tea Party,'” created by Walter Sickert between 1915 and 1916, belongs to the Impressionism art movement and is classified as a sketch and study. The artwork features preliminary sketches that outline the composition and figures with a loose and dynamic style typical of studies. The sparse use of detail highlights the essential forms and gestures of the subjects, reflecting an intimate scene that captures a sense of immediacy and spontaneity.
The artwork depicts two figures seated in close proximity to each other. One figure, situated on the left, appears to be sitting with a relaxed posture, possibly holding a small item in their hand, while the other figure is portrayed with their head turned away, partially obscured, and is seated on the right near a small table. The sketch emphasizes the casual, everyday nature of the scene, suggesting an informal gathering or a moment of quiet reflection. The use of light lines and shading lends an ethereal quality to the piece, underscoring the transient nature of the subject matter explored by Sickert in this study.
