Most subjects in paintings are categorized as portrait, landscape, interior, or still life. Imagine again selecting a tea themed painting to enhance a specific space in your home. This time that space is a corner of your home that is just for you. Solitude, whether stolen or planned, restores the spirit. You want to create a mood that is perfect for relaxing. What time of day would you mostly likely be in this special place? What would you do there? Is the seating in this corner wooden or upholstered? Is it bathed in natural sunlight or aglow courtesy of a favorite lamp?
Below are four still life paintings depicting tea for one. Each conjures a feeling of refined charm. While the first two are very similar (blue and white china, Battenburg lace, and floral arrangement), consider the differences in the wallpaper patterns, the hues of blue, and the color of the wood tones. The painting on the left appears to be more casual, perhaps for a cottage setting, while the painting on the right has a more formal, traditional feel. Even the lighting suggests different times of the day. Similarly, the second set of two paintings suggest several differences: old world versus modern, Victorian versus cottage.
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If I were to pick one, I would choose either of the paintings with lace. Blue is my favorite color and, coupled with yellow, it makes for a very cheerful setting. While I like the harlequin pattern on the wallpaper in the first painting, all furniture in my home is dark, so the formality in the second painting is probably a more suitable match. Which one of these four prints would you choose for your very own space and why?
I'll have at least two more posts on tea-themed paintings. Then, later this week, I will post a few photographs of teapots used as decor in my home.
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Credits: "Tea and Lace I" and "Tea and Lace II" by Anne Brown. "Afternoon Tea" by Van Martin. "Teapot and Iris" by T. Chiu. All images are from art.com.
I love Tea in "Art" work. Thanks for sharing some examples you have found of it as well.
There are so many things out there when we really look for them!
Joyce
Posted by: The Secret Gardener | April 01, 2008 at 08:43 AM
What a great way to share the Decor-a-tea! Each painting is so lovely. I'll return later this week to see your photos too. ~Kathy
Posted by: Kathy | April 01, 2008 at 07:04 PM
I also find tea themes in art very appealing. Art.com has such an extensive gallery of tea paintings, it is diffucult to decide on just one or two. Thanks for your posts on this subject.
Posted by: Carrie | April 02, 2008 at 06:58 PM
They are all beautiful. I would choose the bottom left, simply because it is an outdoor setting.
Posted by: Alisa | April 03, 2008 at 07:30 AM
More beautiful decor-a-tea posts! You have found some special art on this theme! I can't decide which print I love the most --- but I think that tea sets make beautiful 'still life' paintings!
So glad you shared so many great ideas!
LaTeaDah
Posted by: LaTeaDah | April 07, 2008 at 06:32 AM