M. F. Pithawalla

Manchershaw Fakirjee Pithawalla (1872–1937), known as M. F. Pithawalla, was a prominent painter of the Bombay School. Born near Surat, he moved to Bombay in 1888 and was trained by John Griffiths at Sir J. J. School of Art, where he developed his skills in academic realist portraiture. His career gained recognition after winning a silver medal at the Bombay Fine Arts Exhibition in 1894, followed by several gold medals at the Bombay Art Society. In 1911, Pithawalla travelled to Europe and held a solo exhibition at London’s Dore Gallery, becoming the first Indian artist to achieve this. His portraits primarily documented colonial-era Indian society, particularly members of the Parsi community. He also served on the Bombay Art Society committee and as vice-president of the Art Society of India. His works are held in major collections in India and abroad.