Samuel Fyzee-Rahamin

(1880-1964)

Untitled (Maiden by a pool)

Footnotes

Provenance
Property from a private collection, UK.

Fyzee-Rahamin was a pioneering figure in early modern Indian art, celebrated for his distinctive synthesis of Western academic techniques with traditional Indian themes and aesthetics. Born into a Bene-Israeli Jewish family in Poona (now Pune), India, Fyzee-Rahamin's early exposure to diverse cultural influences shaped his artistic perspective. He pursued his studies at the Sir J.J. School of Art, Bombay, and the Slade School of Fine Art in London, where he trained under John Singer Sargent and Solomon J. Solomon, in Western realism and academic techniques, a foundation that would later distinguish his approach to Indian subject matter. In 1912, he married Atiya Begum, an influential writer and intellectual who played a significant role in shaping his artistic identity and introducing him to the rich cultural traditions of Muslim India.

Untitled(Maiden by a Pool) was painted in 1898 when he was 18. A painting from his early oeuvre, it captures the essence of his vision—a harmonious fusion of light, colour, and gentle realism, celebrating Indian culture while appealing to modern sensibilities. The maiden is the protagonist of the painting, and she is confidently posing against a wall, capturing a moment of quiet beauty and stillness. Fyzee-Rahamin's mastery of colour and brushwork shines through; he uses soft, naturalistic tones and fluid strokes to create an almost ethereal atmosphere. The painting's delicate rendering of the sari, the play of light on the maiden's form and her subsequent reflection in the water contribute to a sense of intimacy and timelessness and bridges the classical and the modern, embodying Fyzee-Rahamin's vision of an art form rooted in tradition but alive with contemporary relevance.

To see another work from the artist, dating from 1898, see the Victoria and Albert Museum, London (Accession No.IM.151-1913)