A student of the arts pioneer Faeq Hassan, Ismail Al-Sheikhly developed a unique style recognisable from the abstracted figures and vibrant colour schemes focusing specifically on Iraqi village life and countryside. Educated at the Institute of Fine Art in Baghdad, Al-Sheikhly was a member of the first graduating class in 1945. The artist received a scholarship to study abroad at the École Nationale Supérieure des Beaux-Arts in Paris in 1951 and returned to become actively involved in the Pioneers Group (Ar-Ruwwad) that began under the name Société Primitive, founded by Faeq Hassan. The group focused on exploring everyday life in Baghdad, with visits to the rural towns outside of the city centre. 

Although The Pioneers did not create nor issue a direct manifesto, the aim of the group focused on such qualities as skill, primitive expressiveness and originality in the use of lines, colours and light, qualities exemplified by Faeq Hassan who chanelled the techniques of paintings by Courbet, Delacroix, Neo-Classicists and the Impressionist schools.

Women are a central subject for Al-Sheikhly, and as depicted in the present two examples, his careful attention to curved lines met with earthy, natural colour palettes, are indicative of the artist's explorations with the Pioneers group. Al-Sheikhly depicted women in their daily activities, whether attending the mosque, souks, or partaking in domestic tasks. While his later works are more figurative, they become more abstracted with impressionist touches, oftentimes depicted huddled within crowds.

Al-Shaikhly was a founding member of the Society of Iraqi Plastic Artists and joined the Iraqi Artist Society, later becoming director general of the Directorate of Plastic Arts in Baghdad.