Made in Tehran (Iran) during Qajar era, between 1850s to 1860s.
The above portrait is attributed to Abu'l Hasan Ghaffari 'Sani ol Molk', a prominent artist from Qajar era. Son to Mirza Mohammad Ghaffari 'Kamal ol Molk' and a student of Mehr Ali (both renowned painters of their age), he joined the royal court in 1842 when Mohammad Shah was pleased by an oil portrait of himself made by Abu'l Hasan. Abu'l Hasan Ghaffari, commonly known by his title 'Sani ol Molk', is remembered for his artworks, especially for the portraits of notable figures which show a beautiful blend of Qajar stylization, represented in the form of traditional Iranian clothing and aesthetics with a touch of European realism, shown in the colouring of his subjects, making use of light and shade (see ref no.4) . The above painting is a portrait of poet Yaghma Jandaqi, famous name in Qajar Iran, as per the translation of the Persian/Farsi writing on the etched on the portrait (see ref no.1). Yaghma Jandaqi shown siting on a rug with repetive designs in black, squatted on his knees. He is wearing a light, yellowish, round necked Qajar era shirt, over which a wears a 'qaba/Jobba' (longcoat) in olive green. The qaba/jobba is adorned with simple linings, it's right flap overlapping the left. Over the qaba/jobba he wears a big 'kolijeh' (loose open front overcoat) which is light ocher in colour. On his head is a simple, tall, black 'Qajar hat' (see ref no.3 for clothing). In his left hand is a piece of written paper, probably a poetry while a pen rests in his right hand. He is seated against a wall, yellow-ocher in colour. The portrait is enclosed within an intricately designed border, which in turn is surrounded by a broader outer margin in maroon red. The overall portrayal of the subject shows the ambience of a poet taking a break from his daily pursuits to ve captured in a painting.
“Portrait of Poet Yaghma Jandaqi” is an intricately made work of portraiture by Abu'l Hasan Sani ol Molk. In the painting, we can see the poet wrapped in traditional Persian clothing, taking a pause from his work in order to pose for the artist, but likely still stuck in the world of literary arts, as he grips his feather-pen in one hand and a work of poetry in the other. The artist is able to capture the gaze of the poet, who appears to be staring straight at the observer.
