Nude 1920

Rupert Bunny made this nude drawing with pencil on paper, but we don't know exactly when. It encapsulates the academic study of the female form, prevalent in art schools of the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Bunny, an Australian artist, spent much of his career in Europe, absorbing influences from Impressionism and Post-Impressionism. Here, the sketch suggests a fleeting moment, capturing the model's pose with swift, confident lines. The lack of background or setting shifts our attention to the figure itself, typical of academic nudes. But what does it mean to study the nude? These drawings were often exercises in mastering anatomy and form, yet they also reflect societal attitudes towards the body, particularly the female body. The institutional context of art education, therefore, played a crucial role in shaping how artists like Bunny approached this subject. To understand it better, we might look at art education practices of the time. The nude remains a fascinating lens through which to explore the intersection of art, society, and power.