Although the younger brother of prominent Syrian artist Adham Ismail, Naim Ismail was a gifted painter in his own right, reconfiguring the traditional aesthetic of Arab decorative arts with a modernist sensibility. His painting style became highly influential. His incorporation of the patterns, geometry and visual rhythms of local textiles, for example, are joined in harmonious colourist compositions that suggest depth and space with sharp lines and multiple planes, giving an illusionist feel in which everyday visual culture is highlighted for its complexity and brought into the realm of fine art. This approach pays homage to the region's rich heritage while seeking to expand its borders.

Born in Antioch, Syria in 1930, Ismail studied at the Faculty of Fine Arts in Istanbul, graduating in 1953. After pursuing research in the art of medals and frescoes at private institutions in Rome, he eventually returned to Damascus in the late 1950s, where he held a number of significant positions, including the artistic supervisor of the National Army Magazine and director of Fine Arts in the Ministry of Culture, a post he held from 1970-1979.

Ismail's work is housed in a number of notable collections, including the National Museum of Damascus and the Syrian Ministry of Culture.