Anthony Highmore (British, 1718–85)

young lady seated at a table taking tea

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Pen and grey ink and watercolour on laid paper

12 x 9.4 cm

The composition is reminiscent of Liotard’s La Choco - latière, although many of the details are different, notably the style of chair and the arrangement of pots on the tea table. The present drawing shows a tea pot and a silver chocolate pot with a wooden handle, which is probably French. The drawing would appear to be reflecting the status of the subject, as she was unlikely to have been drinking tea and chocolate at the same time.

Highmore’s drawings are quite rare, but several examples can be found in the collection of the Yale Center for British Art, New Haven, Paul Mellon Collection.

Provenance: Sabin Galleries Ltd.