B. 1864 – 1947

Having studied at the National Gallery School, Rupert Bunny was among the most successful Australian expatriate artists of his generation. He was the first Australian to be awarded honours at the prestigious exhibiting venue, the Paris Salon, and by the end of his career the French state had acquired 13 of his works – more than from any other Australian or indeed almost any other foreign artist. 

During his lifetime, Bunny’s art could be seen in galleries in London, Paris, Brussels, Edinburgh, St Petersburg, Budapest, Philadelphia and Pittsburgh. He practised as an artist in Europe for almost fifty years before returning to live in Melbourne in 1933 after the death of his wife. 

Despite his age, Bunny assimilated back into the local art scene, exhibiting with progressive artists groups and holding successful solo exhibitions in Melbourne and Sydney. He was given a major retrospective in Melbourne in 1946, a year before his death, confirming his reputation as one of Australia’s most significant artists.

 
To read a more in-depth biography of the artist, click here.