Tea [graphic].Rowlandson, Thomas, 1756-1827, printmaker[15 May 1786]eng"Mrs. Boswell (left) and Johnson (right) sit on opposite sides of a small square tea-table; Boswell sits between them on the farther side of the table, with a complacent expression, his right hand on his breast, his left held towards Johnson, as if displaying his friend. Johnson, with an expression of reflective melancholy, takes sugar with a pair of tongs, his tea-cup in his left hand. Mrs. Boswell clasps her hands ecstatically and smiles admiringly at Johnson. A foot-boy stands behind Johnson and Boswell holding a salver; he yawns violently, scratching his tousled head. A wall-clock shows that it is 12.10. A single candle in a sconce (left) lights the room."--British Museum online catalogueTitle etched below image.One in a series of twenty plates by Rowlandson after S. Collings. See British Museum catalogue v. 6, page 345.Plate from: Picturesque beauties of Boswell, Part the First. [London] : [E. Jackson], [1786]Four lines of verse below title: "My wife had tea ready for him which it is well known he delighted to drink at all hours, particularly when sitting up late ..." Vide Journal p. 14.Sheet trimmed within plate mark.