Robert Juniper was once known for his vibrant social life, a self-proclaimed "party animal" in his younger years. This side of his personality often led him to gatherings filled with energy, where he was known to indulge in lively conversations, good music, and plenty of drinks. His main confederate during this time was George Haynes, another who carried the “party animal” tag. Though reflecting on this aspect of his character can be delicate without overshadowing his artistic legacy, ... it offers a fuller picture of the man behind the art—a person whose exuberance extended beyond the canvas.

Juniper’s years as an artist were defined by his groundbreaking approach to landscape painting. His aerial perspective, which he first explored in the 1980s, was inspired by the order he found from thousands of meters above the earth. Flying in the security of an aircraft, he discovered a sense of direction amidst the seemingly chaotic patterns of the land. His bold adoption of this perspective made him the first Australian painter to consistently utilise aerial viewpoints in his work, changing the way the Australian landscape was perceived on canvas.

However, in works like After Chagall, this disciplined approach is set aside. The painting itself doesn’t reflect the signature aerial perspective Juniper was renowned for; rather, it is a personal and intimate tribute to two memorable evenings spent in good company. The work was created in gratitude for the warmth and hospitality of his hosts, an acknowledgment of nights filled with drinking, lively conversation, music, and fine food. In this case, the atmosphere of the evenings clearly inspired the work.

What "After Chagall" demonstrates, however, is not the absence of his technical prowess but rather a playful shift in his usual approach. Though there’s no aerial perspective, Juniper’s exceptional sense of design and skilled craftsmanship shine through. His attention to detail, even in a work created in such a lighthearted context, speaks to his enduring skill as a draftsman. This piece might not fit the mould of his typical landscape, but it still carries his signature touch—showing that even in moments of joviality and casual enjoyment, his artistic sensibility was always present.