Tea Time (Metzinger)

Étude pour Le Goûter, 1911, graphite and ink on paper, Musée National d'Art Moderne, Paris

Tea Time (French: Le Goûter) is a Cubist painting created in 1911 by the French artist Jean Metzinger. This work is notable for its complex composition and the innovative use of multiple perspectives, which are characteristic of the Cubist movement.

Description

Tea Time depicts a woman seated at a table, holding a spoon in her right hand, with a cup of tea in front of her. The painting is a quintessential example of Analytical Cubism, where the subject is fragmented into geometric shapes and viewed from multiple angles simultaneously. The use of muted colors and the interplay of light and shadow create a sense of depth and movement.

Historical Context

Le Goûter (Tea Time) alongside Juan Gris' Hommage à Pablo Picasso, 1912

The painting was created during a period when Metzinger was deeply involved in the development of Cubism, alongside artists such as Pablo Picasso, Georges Braque, and Albert Gleizes. The early 20th century was a time of great experimentation in art, with artists seeking to break away from traditional perspectives and explore new ways of representing reality.

Exhibitions and Reception

Tea Time was first exhibited at the Salon d'Automne in Paris in 1911, where it garnered significant attention. The painting was praised for its innovative approach and became a symbol of the Cubist movement. It was later featured in various exhibitions, contributing to the spread of Cubism across Europe and beyond.

Influence and Legacy

Le Goûter published in Le Journal, 30 September 1911

Tea Time has been influential in the development of modern art, inspiring subsequent generations of artists. Metzinger's work, along with that of his contemporaries, laid the groundwork for future movements such as Futurism and Abstract Art. The painting's exploration of form and perspective continues to be studied and admired by art historians and enthusiasts.

Related Works

Metzinger's Tea Time is often compared to other works of the period, such as Albert Gleizes' Portrait of Jacques Nayral and Henri Le Fauconnier's L'Abondance. These paintings share a similar approach to form and composition, reflecting the collaborative nature of the Cubist movement.

Related Pages

• Cubism
• Jean Metzinger
• Salon d'Automne
• Albert Gleizes
• Pablo Picasso

Albert Gleizes, Portrait of Jacques Nayral, 1911, Tate Modern, London