Spirit of Qajar Painter to Dominate Golestan Palace Again

Born in Kashan in 1847, Kamal al-Mulk was undoubtedly one of the most eminent artists of Iran.

In order to accomplish his primary education, Kamal al-Mulk moved to Tehran. He registered in Dar-ul-Fonun School where he studied painting with Mozayyen ad-Dowleh, a well-known painter who had visited Europe and studied Western art.

In his school days, the young Kamal-ul-Mulk was given the name Mirza Mohammad Kashi. In this very short period of education, he was able to attract public attention to himself as a talented artist.

In his visits to Dar al-Fonun, the Qajar king Nasser-ad-Din Shah came to know Kamal-ul-Mulk and, having observed his incredible talent, he invited him to the court. Noticing his mastery at painting, Nasser ad-Din Shah gave him the title “Kamal-ul-Mulk” (Perfection on the Kingdom).

During the years he remained at Nasser-ad-Din Shah's court, Kamal al-Mulk created some of his most significant works. In this busiest period of his career, he created over 170 paintings. Unfortunately, most of these paintings have either been destroyed or taken abroad.

Following the death of Nasser ad-Din Shah, Kamal al-Mulk found it impossible to work under Mozaffar ad-Din Shah. Therefore, he set out for Europe at the age of 47 to improve his art. Kamal al-Mulk copied some of Rembrandt's works. He recreated Rembrandt's famous "Self Portrait", "Jonah", and "Saint Matthew".

"Hanging Partridge" and the copies he made of European artists are among his most well-known works. However, his masterpiece is "The Mirror Hall". In this work, the artist marvelously depicts all the delicacy and details of the vast "Mirror Hall" of Golestan Palace.

In 1940, Kamal al-Mulk died in exile imposed by Reza Shah. He was buried in Neyshabur, Khorasan Province beside the tomb of Sheikh Farid ad-Din Attar of Neyshabur, the renowned Iranian poet.

MMS/DWN/IS
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