An Unidentified Royalty

Artist Syed Hasan Askari (1907 – 1969)

dated 1938, Oil on canvas
40.6 x 30.7 in. (103.1 x 78 cm.)

This portrait is an unidentified yet aristocratic-looking woman, richly dressed in a crimson saree woven with gold thread. Her pose is both regal and relaxed—leaning on an armrest, feet placed on a wooden pedestal—imbuing the portrait with dignity and quiet confidence. Set against a darkened interior with an open window revealing a dusky sky, the composition evokes an atmosphere of refined opulence and introspection.

Syed Hasan Askari was born in Jhansi and trained at the Government School of Art and Craft (1926-28) in Lucknow. He later studied at the prestigious Royal Academy in London (1935-39), under the mentorship of Sir William Rothenstein. Askari developed a highly refined academic style, marked by realistic treatment of form, sensitive use of light, and a painterly elegance that bridged Indian themes with European techniques. Upon returning to India, he became one of the most sought-after portraitists of his time. His patrons included Nawabs, ruling princes, high-ranking officials, and their families. His works, often grand in scale and intimate in treatment, remain important historical documents and visual tributes to India’s elite society of the early 20th century.