A realist portrait painter, Mazli Mat Som is masterful in capturing the spirit of his live models, in a naturalistic manner. This portrait, skilfully executed in the medium of pastel, evokes a feeling of lightness modelled through subtle blends of colour. Darker outlines were used to enhance the overall solidity of the forms. Mazli Mat Som, who succeeded Dato’ Hoessein Enas to helm the Angkatan Pelukis SeMalaysia (previously SeMenanjung), is best known for his two iconic works in the collection of the National Art Gallery: Menanti Nelayan (1961) and Yati  (1964). As a protégé of Dato’ Hoessein, he upheld and promoted the best figurative traditions but died five years before his mentor. Among those active during his time were Idris Salam, Mohd Sallehuddin, Sabtu Mohd Yusof and his wife Hamidah Suhaimi, who painted similarly well in the figurative tradition. In the Henry Butcher Art Auction on Nov 3, 2019, his Malay Boy (1970) raised a premium of a record RM38,080.