Tea Time 1903

This is 'Tea Time', a painting made by Albert Lynch, likely in the early 20th century. Look at how Lynch works with a subdued, almost pastel palette, creating a really soft, dreamy atmosphere. It feels very mannered, very proper. The paint handling is smooth, almost blending away any trace of the brush. But peer closer and you’ll see, especially in the folds of the dresses, how thin glazes of color are layered to create depth and volume. Notice how the light catches the silver tea pot and the delicate porcelain cups. There is a real sense of atmosphere conjured with such delicate touches. The girl in the red dress, holding the flowers, is really interesting to me. There is something about her gaze, and the way Lynch captures it, that disrupts the picture's saccharine sweetness, and makes me think of the work of John Singer Sargent. Ultimately, it’s this push and pull of visual languages that makes the piece so interesting.