Nasir Al-Din Shah Qajar (r. 1848–1896) with a Cannon

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This portrait depicts the Qajar ruler Nasir al-Din Shah Qajar (r. 1848–1896) as a youth standing next to a cannon, touching it with his bare hand. It highlights his aspirations and role as a military modernizer and reformer. He is dressed in a bright red European-style frockcoat with gold braided epaulettes but also dons traditional jewels such as an emerald and pearl aigrette, triple bejeweled armbands, and a sabre. Painted shortly after he ascended to the throne, it is one of a handful of paintings showing the young shah with a cannon, regarded as a quintessential emblem of modern military might.

Nasir Al-Din Shah Qajar (r. 1848–1896) with a Cannon, Opaque watercolor, ink, and gold on paper

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Nasir Al-Din Shah Qajar (r. 1848–1896) with a Cannon, Opaque watercolor, ink, and gold on paper
Nasir Al-Din Shah Qajar (r. 1848–1896) with a Cannon, Opaque watercolor, ink, and gold on paper

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