Who painted The Cup of Tea (La tasse de thé)?

The Cup of Tea (La tasse de thé) was painted by Albert Besnard in 1883.

Where can I see The Cup of Tea (La tasse de thé)?

The Cup of Tea (La tasse de thé) is held by National Gallery of Art.

What movement is The Cup of Tea (La tasse de thé)?

The Cup of Tea (La tasse de thé) is associated with Impressionism.

Can I buy a print of The Cup of Tea (La tasse de thé)?

Museum-quality prints of The Cup of Tea (La tasse de thé) are available made-to-order from Artifact World Gallery.

Artwork

The Cup of Tea (La tasse de thé)

Albert Besnard , 1883

The Cup of Tea (La tasse de thé) is an ink print by the Impressionist artist Albert Besnard. It dates from 1883 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.

Inscription: Inscribed:upper center in plate: AB Londres; lower right in brown ink: Londres A Besnard; upper center verso in black chalk: AB Londres; by later hand, lower left verso in graphite: D15 1/11/6; by later hand, lower right in graphite: 12309
Markings: Marked:None.

About this work

Overview

Albert Besnard’s 1883 print, titled The Cup of Tea (La tasse de thé), is executed as an etching and drypoint combined with a monoprint inking on wove paper. The work measures a modest size and presents a quiet interior scene rendered in muted tones, characteristic of the artist’s interest in atmospheric effects.

Subject & Meaning

The composition depicts a dimly lit room where one figure sits at a table, pouring tea from a pot into a cup, while another figure stands nearby, holding a cup. The sparse setting and subdued lighting suggest a moment of domestic intimacy, emphasizing the ritual of tea drinking as a quiet, shared activity.

Technique & Style

Besnard employed both etching and drypoint on a metal plate, then applied a monoprint inking technique to the wove paper. The drypoint scratches produce a grainy, tactile quality, while the etching lines retain a crispness that together give the image a sketch‑like, almost spontaneous appearance, enhancing the sense of a fleeting interior moment.

History & Provenance

Created in 1883, the print belongs to the later nineteenth‑century period when French artists were exploring printmaking as a means of reaching broader audiences. It is recorded in several catalogues of Besnard’s work and has appeared in museum collections focused on French printmaking of the era.