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These charming paintings of a dancing girl and an enthroned lady depicted here are both typical of Qajar tastes. During the Qajar period royal portraits and illustrations of court performers were the two main themes of monumental painting. Falk describes these girls as "the other main subject," even though their purpose was mostly ornamental, providing colourful and entertaining images with which to decorate architectural features. Beyond their ornate quality such paintings were iconic imagery that mirrored a divided society. These entertainers and dancing girls were the only women available to the artists, reputable ladies of society were always concealed from sight behind thick swathes of fabric. Recently sold Qajar portraits of female courtiers and dancers include those sold in these Rooms, 28 October 2021, lot 36 and 28 October 2020, lots 55 and 56.
A DANCER IN A BLUE DRESS
QAJAR IRAN, FIRST HALF 19TH CENTURY
Details
A DANCER IN A BLUE DRESS
QAJAR IRAN, FIRST HALF 19TH CENTURY
Oil on canvas, minor areas of repainting, canvas trimmed, relined
61 ¼ x 32 7⁄8in. (155.8 x 83.7cm.)
QAJAR IRAN, FIRST HALF 19TH CENTURY
Oil on canvas, minor areas of repainting, canvas trimmed, relined
61 ¼ x 32 7⁄8in. (155.8 x 83.7cm.)
Provenance
Private American Collection since 1960s, thence by descent until
Anon sale, Christie's London, 23 April 2015, lot 101
Anon sale, Christie's London, 23 April 2015, lot 101
Brought to you by
Sara Plumbly
Director, Head of Department
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