Guardian of the City

This striking oil on canvas by Zafar Iqbal features one of the historic walled city's grand gateways, rendered in a brilliant, weathered white. The artist utilizes his signature heavy impasto technique, giving the architectural facade a thick, sculpted texture that captures the antiquity of the stone. Below the towering arch, the street is alive with local activity; vendors with colorful carts, a green rickshaw, and pedestrians navigate a ground that reflects the soft, ambient light of an overcast day. Flanked by lush green trees and traditional brick walls, this piece perfectly balances the massive, silent strength of historic architecture with the vibrant, moving energy of modern daily life.