Portrait of Muhammad Shah Qajar and his Vizier Haj Mirza Aghasi

Unknown

second quarter 19th century · Ink, opaque watercolor, and gold on paper · Islamic Art

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.

Artist

Unknown

Date

second quarter 19th century

Medium

Ink, opaque watercolor, and gold on paper

Department

Islamic Art

Credit line

Gift of Abolala Soudavar, in memory of Ezzat-Malek Soudavar, 2014