The subject of the painting directly references Édouard Manet's 1882 work A Bar at the Folies-Bergère.

[1] It depicts a barmaid working in an Australian pub at the time of the "six o'clock swill".

As in Manet's work, the patrons of the bar are shown in a reflection behind the barmaid.

[1] The anonymous buyer was later revealed to be David Walsh, owner of the Museum of Old and New Art in Hobart.

[2] The Bar, along with Brack's Collins St., 5 pm, is considered a highlight of the NGV's Australian art collection, and is on permanent display at the Ian Potter Centre in Melbourne's Federation Square.