ARCHAEOLOGICAL PERSPECTIVE ON THE EGYPTIAN GIRL TABLEAU ATTRIBUTED TO KAMAL-AL-MOLK; THE IRANIAN ROYAL PAINTER IN THE QAJAR ERA (1794 -1925 AD)

Abstract

The Qajar Period (1794 - 1925 AD) had special features in the history of art in Iran. Art and paintings are greatly influenced by the art and culture of Europe during this period. The influence of European art began from the Safavid dynasty (1501 - 1722 AD), and reached its peak during the Qajar Period.

This study investigates Kamal-al-Molk’s living conditions in order to evaluate the social, political and cultural life of Kamal-al-Molk regarding the context and environment in which a painting of an Egyptian girl is found. On the one hand, the history of the related painting will be discussed for further understanding of its art, and on the other, a comparative study performed to identify the relationship between the painting and other works attributed to Kamal-al-Molk paintings evaluated in the comparative study including the two works of "Egyptian woman" and "Egyptian man" by Kamal-al-Molk at the Malik Museum. This study investigates whether the "Egyptian girl", installed at the Islamic Museum of the Iranian Islamic Parliament is correctly attributed to Kamal-al-Molk. Archeological and art research approaches are used for the purpose of this study.

Through an archeological approach to the “Egyptian Girl” considering the signature date, subject, colors and composition in the painting, in conjunction with instrumental analysis on used material and technique which has been reported in another paper by the authors, the attribution of this artwork to Kamal-al-Molk is called into doubt.