Russian Tea

“Day faded; on the table, glowing, the samovar of evening boiled, and warmed the Chinese teapot; flowing beneath it, vapour wreathed and coiled.”— Alexandre Pushkin

Throughout his shortened life, Russia’s greatest poet, Alexandre Pushkin, made frequent reference to the immutable importance of tea in Russian Culture. When I arrived in America, the most valued possession I carried was my samovar—an indispensable component of any Russian tea party and proof that you can take the girl out of Russia, but never the Russian out of the girl! For the past three centuriesin Russia, tea has been served at most family celebrations and informal get-togethers with old friends. The main element of a Russian tea party, of course, is the ensuing conversation; always a lot of jokes, family news, and the indispensable gossip—a little love and scandal are always the best sweeteners of Russian tea! Normally, a large quantity of tea is brewed to offer plenty of time to enjoy an unhurried occasion, as well as to assist a guest to get warm from the Siberian cold. While the samovar sits at its heart, the table at a Russian tea party usually includes bread, some jam or honey, seasonal fruits, fish, cabbage or other salads, and meats. This painting is one of my self-portraits. Herein, I share a cup of tea with my viewer. We all need a little time—don’t we?—when we can break free from the busyness of the day and enjoy some fellowship with family, friends and new acquaintances. Artist Gustav Klimt once said, “After tea, it’s back to painting…” Well—that’s always the case with me, too. But for now, have a cup of Russian Tea with me and enjoy this moment… won’t you?