Five O'Clock Tea, also known as The Tea, (oil on canvas) was painted in 1880 by American artist Mary Cassatt. She was known for her impressionistic works that tended to feature women and children in everyday settings.
The woman on the left is probably the hostess since she's the one not wearing a hat. I'm wondering why her cup looks as if she never poured any tea for herself - perhaps she's anxious for her guest to be on her way. The guest is sipping what I imagine to be a lovely tea from China brought by steamship to America. The guest might be wishing for some sugar but the absence of spoons or tongs in the tea set suggests that she won't be getting any. Perhaps it's another subtle ploy of the hostess to move her along.
