Tea 1919

Curator: Henri Matisse painted "Tea" in 1919; it's currently part of the LACMA collection. What are your initial thoughts on the work? Editor: A sense of serene unease. The vibrant greens are almost suffocating, and the figures seem isolated despite their proximity. It's not quite idyllic. Curator: It's interesting you say that. Considering the year, just after the First World War, "Tea" presents a fascinating study in post-war domesticity and the anxieties lurking beneath the surface. Think about the rise of leisure culture, and the burgeoning roles of women in society during this period. Editor: Absolutely. And the representation of these women is telling. The stark difference in their expressions, one passive, the other almost confrontational. The figure on the right, gazing directly out at us—almost daring us to interrupt. Where do they fit within those emerging societal roles, what expectations are projected on them? Curator: Matisse often uses color to explore emotional states. Here, the deep greens could represent a sense of confinement, while the patches of brighter color signal a desire for freedom. Consider also the compositional choices. The table acts almost like a barrier. And the rather lonely dog... Editor: I see your point about the green; there’s a similar intensity that you see in later works reflecting on themes like ecological grief and power structures that lead to such anxieties. Is Matisse suggesting something similar? Also, the dog's pose and lack of interaction hint at a disruption in the peace, reflecting anxieties in postwar social spaces. What’s so subversive here is that we are prompted to view women no longer in the home but outside, enjoying a leisurely social activity, something perhaps inaccessible to previous generations. Curator: Yes, the layering of color and form definitely encourages such readings. The brushstrokes may feel free and spontaneous but are so cleverly positioned that their juxtaposition challenges social narratives of class and privilege at the time. Editor: I see how those brushstrokes emphasize tensions simmering beneath the tranquil exterior of leisured society. Thank you, a deceptively complex snapshot, prompting critical awareness through its vibrant strokes! Curator: Indeed!