In 1918, in Petersburg, as well as throughout Russia, life was difficult due to war, epidemics, and famine. During this challenging time, 40-year-old artist Boris Kuzmichev often recalled his childhood and youth spent in Astrakhan, when life was abundant and calm. He remembered how he and his mother loved to sit on the balcony and drink tea. These memories inspired him to create a painting dedicated to those times.

Kuzmichev decided to depict a plump tea merchant, symbolizing the mistress of life. However, it took a long time to find a suitable model. One day, he noticed his neighbor Galina Aderkas, who lived at 7 Vvedenskaya Street. The young girl was in her first year of medical school and was characterized by her health, cheerfulness, and rosy cheeks, making her the perfect model for the tea merchant. Galina was acquainted with Kuzmichev and gladly agreed to pose. During the process, the artist portrayed her as slightly more plump than she actually was.

The plot of the painting is simple, but therein lies its charm. The tea merchant sits on the balcony, enjoying evening tea, with a fat cat comfortably settled beside her, and the table is adorned with pre-revolutionary abundance: Astrakhan watermelon, grapes, and pastries. In the background, the provincial town gradually falls asleep. The painting conveys an atmosphere of tranquility and enjoyment of life. In 1919, it was presented at an exhibition in the Winter Palace, which was then renamed the Palace of Arts.

The painting made a strong impression on the exhibition visitors. Today, "The Tea Merchant" is housed in the State Russian Museum in Petersburg. As for Galina Aderkas, she did not become a doctor but dedicated herself to creativity, working for a long time in the Music Broadcasting Administration, where she was involved in film dubbing.