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Portrait of Prince Nasir al-Din Mirza

1840's
On view at The Met Fifth Avenue in Gallery 462
The inscription next to this figure identifies him as "crown prince of the victorious state [of Iran]." It is likely a portrait of Nasir al-Din Shah Qajar shortly before he acceded the throne in 1848 and became the fourth ruler of the Qajar dynasty. The painter Aqa Buzurg Shirazi (active ca. 1840–1860) has successfully captured the prince’s adolescent awkwardness. Rendered in the distinct hybrid style of the second half of the nineteenth century and possibly informed by a photograph, the portrait reflects a new interest in realism, immediacy, and expressing mood.

Artwork Details

Object Information
  • Title: Portrait of Prince Nasir al-Din Mirza
  • Artist: Aqa Buzurg Shirazi (Iranian, active ca. 1840–1860)
  • Date: 1840's
  • Geography: Made in Iran
  • Medium: Watercolor on paper
  • Dimensions: H. 13 1/2 in. (34.3 cm)
    W. 9 in. (22.9 cm)
  • Classification: Codices
  • Credit Line: Gift of Stephen and Thomas Ettinghausen, in memory of Dr. Richard Ettinghausen and Dr. Elisabeth S. Ettinghausen, 2017
  • Object Number: 2017.692.5
  • Curatorial Department: Islamic Art

More Artwork

More Artwork
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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
ca. 1850
Qur'an Manuscript, Ink, opaque watercolor, and 13.228.24<br/>gold on paper; leather binding
Qur'an Manuscript
dated 1268 AH/1851–52 CE
Pen Box (Qalamdan) Depicting Shah Isma'il in a Battle against the Uzbeks, Papier-maché; painted and lacquered
Pen Box (Qalamdan) Depicting Shah Isma'il in a Battle against the Uzbeks
early 19th century
Ashoka Tree Flower, Leaves, Pod, and Seed, Opaque watercolor on paper
Ashoka Tree Flower, Leaves, Pod, and Seed
first half 19th century
Mirror Case Depicting the Meeting of Nasir al-Din Mirza and Tsar Nicholas I in Erivan and Satin Pouch, Muhammad Isma'il Isfahani Iranian, a) Pasteboard, opaque color, watercolor, gold under a lacquer varnish<br/>b) Satin pouch with metal wrapped embroidery
Mirror Case Depicting the Meeting of Nasir al-Din Mirza and Tsar Nicholas I in Erivan and Satin Pouch
Muhammad Isma'il Isfahani
dated 1271 AH/1854 CE

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