Kamal al-Mulk
Master Painter

Mohammad Ghaffari Kamal al-Mulk, was a well-known Iranian painter of the 19^th and 20^th Centuries.

He was effectively the first artist to introduce European classical realism into Persian painting.

This Master Painter created many valuable works and enjoyed great prosperity during his lifetime, which is rare for a living artist.

Kamal al-Mulk was born in Kashan, in 1847. He grew up surrounded by famous painters of the time, including his father, Mirza Bozorg, his uncle Abolhassan Sani-ol-Molk Naghashbashi (Master Painter) and his grandfather Abolhassan Mostowfi.

Having completed his preliminary studies, he left for Tehran and enrolled in Darolfonun, (a university of its time).

He was extremely talented as a painter and progressed rapidly. While visiting the school, the king, Nasser-ed-Din Shah (1847-1896), was so impressed by the young artists' works and achievements, that he ordered him to become his personal attendant and private tutor.

He enjoyed great wealth during this time, and in 1894 was given the aristocratic title of Kamal al-Mulk.

In 1896, Nasser-ed-Din Shah was assassinated and his son, Mozaffar-ed-Din Shah succeeded him to the throne. With the new King's permission he left for Europe in 1897 to complete his studies. He associated with many great artists of the time, in Paris, Vienna and Rome, and visited numerous galleries and museums. These experiences greatly influenced his perception and style of work.

While visiting Europe in 1898, Mozaffar-ed-Din Shah met him in Paris and summoned him to Tehran. After several years residing and working in Tehran, he left for Iraq and spent three years there. In 1911 he established the School of Fine Arts in Tehran, where pupils studied painting as well as sculpture. Most of these pupils, went on to become great artists.

A Goldsmith in Baghdad
Painting in Oils

Tragically, Kamal al-Mulk lost an eye in an accident in 1927, and in 1928 he had a disagreement with the then Minister of Education. He subsequently closed the School of Fine Arts, and left for his private estate in Hossein Abad, Neishabour, where he lived in isolation until his death in 1941.

He was buried in Neishabour near the Shrine of Sheikh Farid-ed-Din Attar, the famed mystic.

Persian Arts
and Crafts

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