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Studio Portrait of Mozaffar al-Din Shah in Informal Attire, One of 274 Vintage Photographs

Arts of the Islamic World

This informal portrait of Muzaffar al-Din Shah (r. 1896–1907) has been attributed to ‘Abdallah Qajar, who served as a court photographer to Nasir al-Din Shah. He later headed the photography department at the Dar al-funun, a European-inspired institution of higher learning where artists learned how to produce portraits in various media and traditions. ‘Abdallah Qajar also owned a commercial studio next to the Dar al-funun, which suggests that there was a market for photography outside of the court. The artist’s repertoire consists mostly of landscapes and portraits of high-ranking officials and royal family members. Here, Muzaffar al-Din Shah’s informal attire is emphasized by a couple of unbuttoned buttons on his overcoat.
MEDIUM Albumen silver photograph
DATES 1875–1925
DYNASTY Qajar
PERIOD Qajar Period
DIMENSIONS 9 3/16 x 6 1/2 in. (23.3 x 16.5 cm)  (show scale)
ACCESSION NUMBER 1997.3.111
CREDIT LINE Purchase gift of Leona Soudavar in memory of Ahmad Soudavar
PROVENANCE Prior to 1997, provenance not yet documented; by 1997, acquired by Massoud Nader, New York, NY; 1997, purchased from Massoud Nader by the Brooklyn Museum.
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MUSEUM LOCATION This item is not on view
CAPTION Studio Portrait of Mozaffar al-Din Shah in Informal Attire, One of 274 Vintage Photographs, 1875–1925. Albumen silver photograph, 9 3/16 x 6 1/2 in. (23.3 x 16.5 cm). Brooklyn Museum, Purchase gift of Leona Soudavar in memory of Ahmad Soudavar, 1997.3.111 (Photo: Brooklyn Museum, 1997.3.111_PS2.jpg)
IMAGE overall, 1997.3.111_PS2.jpg. Brooklyn Museum photograph, 2009
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