The artwork “The Cup of Tea” by Mary Cassatt, painted circa 1879, is an oil on canvas belonging to the Impressionism movement. This portrait genre piece is part of the collection at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City, NY, USA. Cassatt’s work often portrayed the social and private lives of women, emphasizing the intimate bonds between them and their children.
In “The Cup of Tea,” the artwork depicts a woman seated in a comfortable, upholstered armchair. Her dress suggests a relaxed yet elegant moment of leisure, suffused with pastel tones that are characteristic of Impressionist painting. She is donning a pink dress with fluffy white details around her bosom and wrists, projecting a sense of softness and femininity. The woman’s attire is completed with a delicately tied pink bonnet and white gloves, reflecting the fashion of the era.
The subject is gently holding a teacup in her gloved hand, bringing it close to her lips as if about to sip. Her gaze, directed away from the viewer, lends a contemplative mood to the scene. There is a feeling of privacy and serenity as she enjoys this simple pleasure. The rapid brushstrokes and dapples of light and shadow are emblematic of Impressionist techniques, aiming to capture a momentary slice of life with a sense of immediacy and movement.
The background includes what appears to be a floral arrangement in a vase, loosely rendered with brisk brushwork that allows for a play of color and light, harmoniously blending with the rest of the scene. The choice of colors and the use of light reflect Cassatt’s keen sense of composition and her skill in portraying the calm and reflective moments of domestic life.
Mary Cassatt’s artwork remains a poignant depiction of everyday life in the late 19th century, an evocative snapshot of the quiet and personal space of a woman engaged in a common daily ritual.
