9 / Portraits

Well-versed in the power of images, Fath ‘Ali used architecture, painting, and decorative arts to demonstrate his authority, wealth, and accomplishments. In fact, the sense of splendor, strength, and stability that these cultural productions projected present a very different picture from the one offered by historical facts. Fath ‘Ali Shah’s reign ultimately saw a series of military defeats, the loss of territories, and the deterioration of palaces and fortresses.

Portraiture comprised an important part of Fath ‘Ali’s artistic patronage. This particular portrait is one of the earliest official images of the ruler, created after he assumed the throne in 1798. Designed to be viewed at a distance from a subservient perspective, it displays features common to other Persian royal portraits of the time—elongated proportions, stylized features, prominently displayed weapons and jewelry, and rich colors and patterns that highlight the opulence of the sitter’s garb and surroundings.

Paintings like this one were sometimes sent to foreign leaders as displays of the dynasty’s prosperity and cultural acuity. As in this image, artists often incorporated European techniques into their work. Frequently, however, such images decorated royal buildings at home, where they were intended to awe and impress visitors. Continuing an ancient Persian tradition, these portraits were venerated in much the same way that religious images were. During court ceremonials and processions, viewers would bow down before the image as if in the presence of Fath ‘Ali himself.