Private Collection, Nigeria

The subject of this portrait, with his classic ora🦩tor's pose and distinctive tribal marks, bears a s🍷trong resemblance to politician Samuel Ladoke Akintola (1910-1966). In 1954, when this lot was painted, Akintola would have been deputy leader of the Action Group party under Obafemi Awolowo; he was later Premier of the Western Region of Nigeria from 1960 until his death in the first Nigerian military coup on 15 January 1966.