Self Portrait, Smoking, Print

In this print, Rita Angus (Aotearoa New Zealand, b.1908, d.1970) presents herself as a “modern woman", confident, stylish, and in control of her own life. The composition is carefully staged, from the cigarette with its perfect smoke rings to the beret resting casually on her arm. She meets the viewer’s gaze directly, both bold and reserved.

It was first exhibited in 1937, and it was titled “Portrait". It is one of her most well-known works.

This print is from the Look archive and is our only available edition. It was originally featured in the Rita Angus: New Zealand Modernist exhibition at Te Papa in 2022. The original work is held in the Dunedin Public Art Gallery's collection.

Size A3: Actual print size 276 x 355mm with a white border

Printed on Hahnemühle German hing paper