Rattonjee Framjee Daboo (1846 – 1908)
Philanthropist from Navsari and Surat

Artist M F Pithawalla (1872 – 1937)

dated 1909, Oil on canvas
32.5 x 26 in. (82.6 x 66 cm.)

Rattonjee Framjee Daboo was a respected Parsi gentleman whose life reflected dedication to service, community upliftment, and faith. Educated at the Jarthoshti Madressa in Navsari, he began his career in the Railway Service and later served as a postmaster. His transition into a successful contractor marked a new chapter, as he executed several important works in Baroda. Daboo was widely admired not just for his professional success, but for his noble character and selfless contributions to society. His generosity, deeply rooted in Zoroastrian ethics, extended to acts of public welfare and philanthropy. He lived by the principle of serving others before self—a rare quality that earned him deep respect across communities.

This portrait was painted in 1909 by M.F. Pithawalla, one of India’s foremost academic portraitists. Trained at the Sir J.J. School of Art in Bombay under the influence of British academic realism, Pithawalla was celebrated for his technical finesse and lifelike portrayals. His portraits captured the dignity and character of India’s elite, particularly from the Parsi and mercantile communities. Pithawalla’s brush brought out the psychological depth and personal stature of his sitters, and in this portrait, he preserves not only the likeness of Rattonjee but also the essence of his virtuous legacy.