Suda Kunitaro was born in Kyoto, and began studying oil painting on his own while a student in high school. In 1913 he entered Kyoto Imperial University where he studied art history and aesthetics, concentrating on German art. He was particularly interested in the problem of realism, and wrote his graduation thesis on that subject. He continued his studies in the University's graduate program where he worked on the theme "painting theory and technique". Following his college graduation in 1916, he resumed his study of oil painting at the Kansai Art Institute. He spent the years 1919-1923 studying in Europe, where he focused on Spanish and Venetian painting. Upon his return, he taught art history at Kyoto University, then taught at the Kyoto Municipal Art College. In 1932 he mounted his first individual exhibition of paintings in Tokyo. In 1934 he joined the Association of Independent Artists, a group formed in 1930 by artists working to create a genuinely Japanese style of oil painting by drawing inspiration from Fauvism. Suda exhibited his works exclusively with this group until his death. Suda was honored with election to the Japan Arts Academy in 1947, was made acting president of Kyoto Municipal Art College, and received privately sponsored prizes.

Suda's painting, thanks in part to his art historical researches, is very much involved with exploring specific issues. While remaining faithful to Japanese painting, Suda examined issues of realism, texture, light and shade, and the development of depth. The painting offered here is a conscientious study in the description of mass and form, set within a shallow foreground stage that is developed purely through the juxtaposition of dark and light color. Based upon essentially realistic description, it is at the same time an interpretation, developed through the generally dark palette and painterly touch.