Footnotes

• Provenance
  Acquired from the artist by Robin Atkinson, circa 1963.
  Gifted to a private collector.
  By direct descent to the current owner.
  
  
  Robin Atkinson was one of a handful of British architects working in Nigeria in the 1950s and 60s. His collaborations with fellow designer Ronald Ward were highly regarded, and he swiftly became a prominent figure in the Lagos art scene.
  
  Atkinson developed a professional relationship with Yusuf Grillo when he was commissioned to design the Trenchard Hall at the University of Ibdan. The architect had always admired Grillo's attention to design, and asked him to paint a mural for Sultan Bello Hall, Queen Amina Hall. Atkinson was so impressed with the work, that he proceeded to commission Grillo to create mosaics and stained glass for the project. He also purchased a number of paintings for his personal collection. He continued to be an important patron of the artist's work until he returned to Britain.
  
  Bibliography
  C. Dike ed., Master of Masters, Yusuf Grillo: His Life and Works, (Lagos, 2006), p.42.