Lukian Popov finished the picture In the Garden (Tea Party) in 1911. He was an accomplished artist by then, having graduated from the St. Petersburg Academy of Arts, and having studied foreign and domestic art while traveling about Europe and Russia. He was also a full-fledged member of the Association of Itinerants and of the Kuindzhi Art Society, and participated in major exhibitions. Popov was awarded the title of Academician of painting as early as in 1912.
The model for both heroines of the painting was the artist’s wife Vera Popova, a peasant woman from the Voronezh province. As he often did, Popov emphasized the general mood of this picture through its background landscape. It is painted in broad strokes, without fine details; however, the bright sunlight casting its soft highlights on dishes, clothes and grass fills the picture with tranquility and calm comfort.
The model for both heroines of the painting was the artist’s wife Vera Popova, a peasant woman from the Voronezh province. As he often did, Popov emphasized the general mood of this picture through its background landscape. It is painted in broad strokes, without fine details; however, the bright sunlight casting its soft highlights on dishes, clothes and grass fills the picture with tranquility and calm comfort.