Portrait of Muhammad Shah Qajar and his Vizier Haj Mirza Aghasi

second quarter 19th century

Not on view

This imperial portrait shows Muhammad Shah, the third ruler of the Qajar dynasty (r. 1834–48), seated on a verandah in a traditional pose holding a jewel-studded sword as his trusted vizier reads him a letter. He wears a scarlet, European-style military uniform with pearl epaulettes and bejeweled armbands (bazubands) and a Qajar astrakhan hat with a plumed aigrette. Watercolor portraits of Muhammad Shah are rare; this painting combines traditional and Europeanizing stylistic elements and highlights the transitional spirit of court portraiture during his rule.

Artwork Details

Overview

Provenance

Title: Portrait of Muhammad Shah Qajar and his Vizier Haj Mirza Aghasi
Date: second quarter 19th century
Geography: Country of Origin Iran
Medium: Ink, opaque watercolor, and gold on paper
Dimensions: H. 15 in. (38.1 cm)
W. 10 7/8 in. (27.6 cm)
Classification: Codices
Credit Line: Gift of Abolala Soudavar, in memory of Ezzat-Malek Soudavar, 2014
Object Number: 2014.739
Curatorial Department: Islamic Art

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