A new exhibition titled Portraits in Time: Power, Presence, and Identity Across Centuries will be presented by Great Banyan Art at LTC, Bikaner House, New Delhi, from 8th to 15th April 2026. Curated by Sonali Batra, the exhibition brings together fifty works spanning centuries and geographies, examining portraiture as a dynamic and evolving exploration of identity.
A Chronological Journey Through Portraiture
The exhibition is structured as a chronological journey, tracing the transformation of portraiture from early academic realism to contemporary interpretations. Moving across time periods, the works highlight how portraiture has shifted from formal representation to psychological and conceptual explorations of the self.
From Authority to Expression
Historically, portraiture functioned as both a record and a symbol of authority. In Indian court traditions, portraits reinforced dynastic continuity and were largely confined to elite spaces. In Europe, academic traditions elevated both the sitter and the artist, establishing portraiture as a marker of prestige and cultural capital.
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Modernism and Psychological Depth
By the mid-twentieth century, artists began to move beyond likeness toward emotional and psychological depth. Figures such as F. N. Souza, Krishen Khanna, and Anjolie Ela Menon redefined portraiture through distortion, colour, and expressive line. Their works foreground inner states rather than outward appearances, reflecting broader social and cultural shifts.
Contemporary Reinterpretations
Contemporary artists in the exhibition—including Shobha Broota, Tom Vattakuzhy, and Terry Turrell—extend this trajectory further. Their works explore identity as fluid and shaped by memory, migration, and cultural hybridity, offering layered interpretations of presence and selfhood in a globalised world.
Featured Artists and Highlights
The exhibition includes works by a wide range of artists across periods and geographies.
Featured artists include:
- Krishen Khanna, Anjolie Ela Menon, F. N. Souza
- K. R. Ravi Varma, Abalal Rahiman, M. F. Pithawalla
- Rabin Mondal, Maniklal Banerjee, Rasik Raval
- Tom Vattakuzhy, Shobha Broota, Terry Turrell
- Jean François Portaels, Hugues Merle, Rose Bonnor
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About the Organiser
Great Banyan Art, established in 2004 in New Delhi, has developed one of India’s largest private art collections, with over 2,000 artworks. Under the direction of Sonali Batra, the organisation has collaborated with major auction houses and continues to promote research, education, and public engagement with art.
Visitor Information
| Event | Details |
|---|---|
| Title | Portraits in Time: Power, Presence, and Identity Across Centuries |
| Artist | Group Exhibition (Multiple Artists) |
| Curator | Sonali Batra |
| Venue | LTC, Bikaner House, Pandara Road |
| City | New Delhi |
| Opening Date | 8th April 2026 |
| Exhibition Dates | 8th – 15th April 2026 |
| Organiser | Great Banyan Art |
| Timings | 11 AM – 7 PM |
The exhibition will be open from Monday to Sunday, between 11 AM and 7 PM, at LTC, Bikaner House, Pandara Road, New Delhi. Entry details have not specified ticketing requirements.
Takeaway
Portraits in Time presents a layered examination of portraiture as both an artistic and cultural practice. By bringing together works across centuries and geographies, the exhibition highlights how identity is shaped through shifting contexts of power, memory, and representation. It offers viewers an opportunity to reflect on how the human image continues to evolve, bridging historical traditions with contemporary perspectives.
