Self Portrait 1920

Rupert Bunny painted this self-portrait in oil on canvas, showing us his interpretation of the artist as a figure of leisure and contemplation. Made in a time of shifting social and artistic values in Australia and Europe, Bunny presents himself with a certain nonchalance. His straw hat, relaxed posture, and cigarette evoke a sense of ease, but there’s also a hint of the self-aware artist, conscious of his image. The late 19th and early 20th centuries were a period of artistic ferment, as artists grappled with modern life and challenged academic traditions. Bunny, who spent much of his career in France, engaged with Impressionism and other avant-garde movements. Understanding this work means considering the artist's role within the social and institutional structures of the art world. Research into exhibition records, critical reviews, and biographical details helps us interpret its place in the cultural landscape of its time.