Portraits in Time: Power, Presence, and Identity Across Centuries, curated by Sonali Batra, showcases 50 works from many years and places at LTC, Bikaner House in New Delhi from 8th to 15th April 2026.
About the Exhibition
This show brings old and new portraits together. It traces how faces in art show power, feelings, and who we are. The works start from early times and go to today. They come from India, Europe, and more.
Curator Sonali Batra says, “What fascinates me about portraiture is how it transforms over time, from a symbol of authority to a space for psychological depth and personal expression.”
Portraits in Time looks at how identity changes with history and culture. Great Banyan Art presents the show from their big collection.
Artist Practice and History
Early portraits showed kings and rich people. In India, Mughal courts made paintings to show family lines and strength. These stayed in palaces for elites only. Artists like K. R. Ravi Varma and Hemendranath Mazumdar mixed Indian and European styles.
In Europe, painters such as Jean François Portaels and Hugues Merle used calm poses and clothes to show honour. Faces looked steady and strong. These works set the base for later changes in portrait art.
Key Themes Explored
The show moves through time in order. Old academic realism gives way to bold modern styles. Artists like F. N. Souza and Krishen Khanna twisted faces to show deep feelings. They cared more about inner thoughts than perfect looks.
Image Credit: Great Banyan Art
Later, Rabin Mondal and Maniklal Banerjee added worry and change from modern life. Today’s artists like Shobha Broota and Tom Vattakuzhy mix memory and new cultures. Identity feels alive and shifting. Batra adds, “Portraiture is not only about resemblance. It is about presence.”
Curatorial Vision and Highlights
Sonali Batra guides the journey. She trained at top schools like the London School of Economics and Sotheby’s. Her family’s Great Banyan Art holds over 2,000 pieces from 45 countries.
Highlights include works by Anjolie Ela Menon, Terry Turrell, and Kaori Someya. Unknown Indian painters join famous names. This shows how art balances sitter power and artist fame. Portraits in Time proves faces map our world’s dreams and ranks.
Exhibition Details
- Title: Portraits in Time: Power, Presence, and Identity Across Centuries
- Curator: Sonali Batra
- Venue: LTC, Bikaner House, Pandara Road, New Delhi
- Dates: 8th – 15th April 2026
- Timings: Monday to Sunday, 11 AM – 7 PM
- Presented by: Great Banyan Art
This article has been created from the press kit shared with Abir Pothi. For press releases and related queries, write to editor@abirpothi.com.
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