Ahmad Shah - The Last King of Qajar
Ardeshir Mohassess was one of Iran’s most renowned political artists and caricaturists. In the 1960s and 1970s, he created cartoons that caustically addressed the history of kingship and authoritarian rule in Iran. This topic has long been the focus of Persian works on paper, making his critical treatment of it all the more powerful. In this piece, Ahmad Shah (Qajar, 1898–1930) is portrayed as a pompous king dressed in European military attire, but despite this regalia, he is ultimately cast as a buffoon. Like the rest of Mohassess’s works, this piece demonstrates a precision of both concept and form, delivering a clear political message to his audience.
Artwork Details
- Title: Ahmad Shah - The Last King of Qajar
- Artist: Ardeshir Mohassess (Iranian, Rasht 1938–2008 New York)
- Date: 1980s
- Geography: Country of Origin United States
- Medium: Ink and watercolor on paper
- Dimensions: H. 20 in. (50.8 cm)
W. 18 in. (45.7 cm) - Classification: Paintings
- Credit Line: Purchase, 2012 NoRuz at The Met Benefit, 2014
- Object Number: 2014.430
- Rights and Reproduction: © Estate of Ardeshir Mohassess
- Curatorial Department: Islamic Art
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