Portrait of a Man

Aina Onabolu, born in 1882 in Ijebu-Ode, was a trailblazer in Nigerian art. He developed a passion for drawing during his primary education at St. Saviour Primary School in Ijebu-Ode, where he honed his skills by replicating photographs and illustrations from European magazines. By age 12, Onabolu had already gained recognition as a talented illustrator, designing charts and visual aids for school teachers. One of his early notable works, the 1906 portrait of Mrs. Spencer Savage, stands as one of the earliest examples of Nigerian modernist art. Onabolu became the first Nigerian artist to receive formal art education in Europe, studying at Académie Julian in Paris and later at the Royal Academy of Art in London between 1920 and 1922. Often regarded as the father of Nigerian modernism, Onabolu was instrumental in inviting British art educator Kenneth Murray to Nigeria, leading to the formalization of art education in the country. His posthumous induction into the Society of Nigerian Artists' Hall of Fame in 2018 reflects his lasting impact on Nigerian art.
In Portrait of a Man, Onabolu captures the essence of Yoruba nobility. The subject, likely a Yoruba chief, wears a traditional fila (cap) and sits with arms resting on the chair handles, exuding authority and dignity.