A GIRL HOLDING A CUP, QAJAR IRAN, FIRST QUARTER 19TH CENTURY

A GIRL HOLDING A CUP
QAJAR IRAN, FIRST QUARTER 19TH CENTURY
Oil on canvas, framed
51in. (129cm.) framed; 48in. (122cm.) high unframed

PROPERTY FROM AN IMPORTANT PRIVATE COLLECTION

The following five lots provide a glimpse into the fashion and development of life-size oil paintings of Qajar beauties and narrative paintings throughout the 19th century. Oil paintings of these genres were produced in series to decorate the walls of palaces. More often than not they were unsigned and undated, so their attribution is based on dress and stylistic grounds. While oil painting had already been introduced to Iran and was used by both the Zand and Afsharid dynasties for state portraits, the early Qajars took this medium to new heights. Such oil paintings formed an integral part of the aristocracy’s houses and palace architecture, and one must imagine viewing them after traveling through a carefully planned succession of courtyards, gardens, and gateways.