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

Object Information
  • 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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