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.
Mentioned in the Episode and Further Links
- Follow the Art Informant on Instagram and X
- Follow Fuchsia Hart on Instagram, X and on her website
- Fuchsia Hart: “Contagion or Cure? A History of Healing and Pandemic in Qom”, Ajam, 5 Dec 2020
- Fath Ali Shah Qajar and Qajar Iran
- Fuchsia Hart, “The Tomb of Fath-ʿAli Shah Qajar” (recording), Youtube Video, “Private Video” Channel, April 2023
- Moya Carey, Persian Art: Collecting the Arts of Iran in the 19th Century, London: V&A, 2018 (available on Amazon)
- Markus Ritter, Moscheen und Madrasabauten in Iran 1785-1848: Architektur zwischen Rückgriff und Neuerung [The Architecture of Mosque and Madrasa in Early Qajar Iran: between re-adaptation and innovation], Leiden and Boston: Brill 2006 (partially available on Academia)
- Keelan Overton, Kimia Maleki, “The Emamzadeh Yahya at Varamin: A Present History of a Living Shrine, 2018–20”, Journal of Material Cultures in the Muslim World, vol. 1, 1-2 (2021) (open source)
- Assef Ashraf, Making and Remaking Empire in Early Qajar Iran, Cambridge Uni Press: 2024
- Information and pictures of the Masjid-e Shah in Tehran, built by Fath ‘Ali Shah (Archnet.org)
- A set of six Coalport plates made for Nasir al-Din Shah Qajar, England, dated 1290 AH/ 1873-74, Sotheby’s London 24 April 2024, lot 50
- A large Canton bowl and dishes made for Nasir al-Din Shah Qajar, Persia, dated 1294 AH/ 1877, Sotheby’s London 24 April 2024, lot 87
- Hazara dress and embroidery from Afghanistan (V&A event)
- V&A Academy: Art history courses
- Click here for more episodes of the ART Informant.
Reproductions of Artworks discussed in the Episode (click on the images to see more information)
