Summer time 1907

Curator: Rupert Bunny created this captivating painting, “Summer Time,” in 1907. Editor: My immediate reaction? A sense of languid heat, almost oppressive. The figures are draped and listless. Is that an intentional commentary, perhaps on class or societal expectations? Curator: Precisely the kind of layered reading that resonates! Bunny's work often positions itself at the nexus of aestheticism and social critique. Painted during a time of great social upheaval and debate over female roles, this piece showcases women in a leisure context. The presence of nudes against the backdrop of formally dressed figures could be viewed as a commentary on the contrasting expectations of women: objectification versus societal performance. Editor: I am also drawn to the artist's deliberate manipulation of light. Note the contrast between the bright outdoor scene versus the more subdued interiors. It suggests division and an ambivalent reflection on modernity. Who were Bunny’s likely patrons, and did that have influence in subject choices? Curator: Predominantly upper-middle-class Australians and Europeans seeking glimpses of a modern life tinged with tradition. The women's leisurely pursuits also reflect the historical privileges afforded to specific demographics, subtly underlining an economy of leisure sustained by the labour of others. The shadowy figure looming at the back is intriguing, especially when examined from post-colonial and race studies. Is that figure representative of subjugated peoples and their roles in enabling Western prosperity? Editor: Yes, the shadow certainly deepens the conversation, almost suggesting that privilege is contingent upon the labor or even oppression of unseen others. Compositionally, Bunny positions that shadow as unavoidable—ever present, shaping the lighter aspects of the painting. Even with the painterly style with gouache or oils that feels breezy, Bunny isn't creating a picture of complete idyllic serenity. Curator: The use of classically posed nudes amidst fully clothed socialites challenges idealized views of womanhood. It demands a critique of how society commodifies female bodies while dictating restrictive social roles. By confronting viewers with these dissonances, the piece transcends mere aesthetic appeal, engaging in socio-political discourse. Editor: So while ostensibly beautiful, it becomes clear that this "Summer Time" holds some provocative questions for our current times. Considering its moment of production, “Summer Time” becomes both a historical document of a specific time as well as a point for interrogating societal norms, then and now.