Isabelle Imbert

Arts and Diplomacy of Qajar Iran with Fuchsia Hart

Isabelle Imbert welcomes Fuchsia Hart, Sarikhani Curator for the Iranian Collection at the Victoria and Albert Museum in London. Fuchsia is an art historian specialised in the artistic productions of 19th century Iran, ruled by the Qajar dynasty between 1789 and 1925, and particularly on the reign of Fath ‘Ali Shah Qajar, who reigned from 1797 till 1834. His patronage is known to us today through his numerous portraits and courtly arts, but also his important architectural patronage of Shia shrines, which is the topic of Fuchsia’s ongoing doctoral research. In the episode, she talks about the arts, kingship and diplomacy of Fath ‘Ali Shah, as well as her work in the V&A.

Listen to the podcast here!

Mentioned in the Episode and Further Links

Reproductions of Artworks discussed in the Episode (click on the images to see more information)

Portrait of Fath ‘Ali Shah, attributed to ‘Abdallah Khan, Tehran (1797-1834). Oil on canvas. Victoria and Albert Museum (707-1876) Credit: V&A
Portrait of Fath ‘Ali Shah Qajar, signed Mihr ‘Ali, Tehran, ca.1810 Oil on canvas Victoria and Albert Museum (ME.9-2022), previously in the collection of Basil Robinson. Credit: V&A
Gravestone of Fath Ali Shah Qajar, ca. 1834 Astaneh Moqaddaseh Museum (acc. unknown) Credit: Sahand Ace, Wikimedia
Plate, Josiah Wedgwood and Sons, Stoke-on-Trent, England, ca. 1810, given to Fath Ali Shah by the East India Company in 1810 Victoria and Albert Museum (C.30-1984) Credit: V&A
Plate, Josiah Wedgwood and Sons, Stoke-on-Trent, England, ca. 1810, given to Fath Ali Shah by the East India Company in 1810 Victoria and Albert Museum (C.32-1984) Credit: V&A
Plate, Tehran, signed by Muhammad Ja’far in 1233 AH/1817-1818 AD. Victoria and Albert Museum (M.97-1949) Credit: V&A
Opening pages of Fath Ali Shah’s poetic ‘Divan-i Khaqan’ (The collected works of the Emperor), 1802-03, offered to Sir Gore Ouseley in Tehran in 1811 for the Prince Regent (later George IV). Royal Collection Trust (RCIN 1005020) Credit: RCT
An enamelled portrait of Fath Ali Shah Qajar, signed [Muhammad] Baqir, early 19th c. Given by Fath ‘Ali Shah to Sir Henry Willock, British Charge d’Affaires in Persia, 1822 Christie’s 4 April 2012, lot 157 Credit: Christie’s