Yahya Ghaffari

Abul-Hasan Salés; Portrait of a Statesman, possibly Amir Kabir; Opaque watercolor and ink on paper; dated 1294 AH/1877 CE[1]

Yahya Khan Ghaffari (died between 1894 and 1905; Persian: یحیی‌خان غفاری) also known as Abul-Hasan Salés (ابوالحسن ثالث, lit. Abul-Hasan the Third), son of Sani al-Mulk, was one of the royal court painters of the Qajar era during the reigns of Naser al-Din Shah and Mozaffar al-Din Shah.[2] He belonged to the artistic Ghaffari family, several generations of whom were involved in painting and miniature art.[2]

Life

Title of Abul-Hasan Salés

It is said that he received the title of Abul-Hasan Salés from Naser al-Din Shah due to his resemblance to his father and the Shah's admiration for Sani al-Mulk.[3] The title was meant to signify the continuation of the family's tradition and artistic heritage.[3][4] Before him, Abu'l-Hasan Mostawfi Ghaffari was called Abul-Hasan Aval (Abul-Hasan the First), and his father, Sani al-Mulk, was known as Abul-Hasan Dovom (Abul-Hasan the Second).[5]

Death

The exact dates of his birth and death are unknown. However, based on evidence and documentation, he was alive until 1324 AH (circa 1905 AD).[4] According to the Metropolitan Museum of Art's database, his death is estimated to have occurred between 1273 and 1284 SH (1894–1905 AD), which aligns with the aforementioned date.[6]

The incident of Abu Torab Ghaffari's death

One of the significant events in Abul-Hasan Salés's life was the suicide of Abu Torab Ghaffari in his house.[2] It is said that Abul-Hasan Salés neglected to save him.[6] Some sources suggest that this behavior was due to his jealousy of Mirza Abutorab's artistic talent.[4] He lived through the era of Mozaffar al-Din Shah, and his works and activities formed a part of the Qajar period's artistic heritage.[3]

Artistic style

Abul-Hasan Salés was a pupil of his father and became known for his watercolor and oil paintings. Besides his skills in these styles, he was also interested in replicating the works of Renaissance painters. His remaining works include landscapes and oil paintings, which reflect both his influence from Western art and his adherence to Iranian artistic roots.[7]


References

  1. ^ "Yahya Ghaffari | A Portrait of a Statesman". The Metropolitan Museum of Art. Retrieved 2024-09-28.
  2. ^ a b c Ghaffari, Ebrahim (1974). "تاریخچه و شجره خاندان غفاری کاشانی" [The History and Genealogy of the Ghaffari Family of Kashan]. Farhang-e Iran Zamin (20).
  3. ^ a b c Zekrali, N. (April 2015). "سرآغاز منظره نگاری در نقاشی معاصر ایران با محمود خان صبا "ملک الشعرا" [The Beginning of Landscape Painting in Contemporary Iranian Art with Mahmoud Khan Saba 'Malek al-Sho'ara]. Danesh-e Honarhaye Tajassomi (4).
  4. ^ a b c Karimzadeh Tabrizi, Mohammad Ali (1998). احوال و آثار نقاشان قدیم ایران و برخی از مشاهیر نگارگر هند و عثمانی [The Lives and Works of Ancient Iranian Painters and Some Renowned Miniaturists of India and the Ottoman Empire] (in Persian). Mostowfi. ISBN 9646532012.
  5. ^ Shafei, Minoo (2005). "هنر نقاشی دوره قاجار و صنیع الملک" [Painting Art of the Qajar Era and Sani al-Mulk]. Ketab-e Mah-e Honar (81 and 82): 122–126.
  6. ^ a b Sohaili Khansari, Ahmad (1976). "پنج ابوالحسن نقّاش در یک قرن" [Five Abul-Hasans in One Century]. Honar-o Mardom. 15 (169 and 170): 64–65.
  7. ^ Zoka, Yahya (1963). "میرزا ابوالحسن خان صنیع الملک غفاری مؤسس هنرستان نقاشی در ایران" [Mirza Abul-Hasan Khan Sani al-Mulk Ghaffari, Founder of the School of Painting in Iran]. Honar-o Mardom (10).