Awaiting the Verdict

Born on the 13th of September, 1882. Aina began his education at St. Saviour Primary School, Ijebu-Ode in 1892. At this young age, his passion for art was already ignited as he practiced by imitating photographs in European magazines and books. Onabolu is regarded today as the father of modern Nigerian Art because of his advocacy for the inclusion of art education in Nigeria’s academic curriculum during the colonial era and was the first formally trained Nigerian artist. In 2018, he was posthumously into the Hall of Fame of Society of Nigerian Artists (SNA) for his service to the nation and immense contribution to the growth of art education in Nigeria.

In this drawing, Onabolu depicts two male figures in profile view within an auditorium. The two men in the foreground seem to be standing while the others are sitting. The closest human figure in the foreground is depicted in almost silhouette but for highlights that give away details of his form and garment. Onabolu combined hatching and crosshatching shading with a smudging technique that gives the work an overwhelming chiaroscuro effect. His bold strokes chisel out the forms of the men and outline the doors and windows while blurring to give them volume. The title of the work suggests that the subjects are probably at a trial, awaiting some sort of judgement.