Portrait of a Prince (Possibly Mohammad Mirza)

Unknown

ca. 1820 · Oil on canvas · Islamic Art

This fine painting of a young prince, possibly Muhammad Mirza Qajar (r. 1834–48), was originally displayed in a niche in a palace or pavilion as part of an overall architectural program. It would have hung alongside portraits of the ruler, princes, images of harem beauties, and still-life paintings. The painting is rendered in the refined style of the early nineteenth century that combined attention to detail and patterning characteristic of Persian painting with European conventions, mediums, and techniques.

Artist

Unknown

Date

ca. 1820

Medium

Oil on canvas

Department

Islamic Art

Credit line

Purchase, 2017 and 2018 NoRuz at The Met Benefits, 2019