Mohammad Ghaffari (Kamal al-Molk)

Mohammad Ghaffari (1848 - 1940 CE), popularly known as Kamal al-Molk, was an Iranian painter and artist from the city of Kashan. Kamal-ol-Molk was one of the most famous and influential personalities in the history of Iranian art.

Mohammad started his primary education in his hometown and then went to Tehran to study painting. At the end of the third year of his studies at the Dar al-Fonun school, the then Shah of Iran paid a visit to the school, and seeing a sample of Kamal al-Molk’s paintings, he invited him to the court to present his art. At the court, he was first given the title of Khan and then received the title of the special attendant. After a while, the king himself became his student and gave him the title of “naqqashbashi” (lit. skilled painter) and after a while granted him the title of Kamal-ol-molk. During his time at the court, Muhammad painted 170 paintings, the most famous of which is the “Talar-e Ayeneh” (Hall of Mirrors), signed by title o Kamal al-Molk.

Due to his strong desire for learning the technique and style of European naturalism, Kamal-ol-molk went to study in Europe in the year 1898 CE. He spent more than three years in Florence, Rome, and Paris, and studied and copied the works of some painters like Rembrandt and Tiziano Vecellio in European museums. The trip to Europe had a positive impact on his style and even his outlook.

Kamal-ol-molk returned to Iran in 1900 CE by the order of Muzaffar al-Din Shah and continued working in the court, but he could not meet the demands of the new king. He then went to Iraq and stayed there for a few years and returned to Iran at the time of the Constitutional Revolution, and by publishing some articles and translating the writings of some pro-freedom French writers contributed to the movement of the people.

Being a portrait and landscape painter, Kamal-ol-molk, who created a new chapter of visual arts in Iran, especially painting, by introducing a new and innovative style and method.

From among his works mention may be made of: Dournamaye Safiabad, ‘Amalehye Tarab, Sahib Qaraniyeh, Hauzkhaneh, Abshar Doqolou, Mard-e Mesri, Falgir-e Yahudi, Moghanak, Self-portrait, Kouh-e Shemiran, etc. The original version of a number of famous paintings of Kamal-ol-molk is on display in Golestan Palace Museum of Tehran.

Mohammad Ghaffari (Kamal al-Molk) passed away in 1940 CE. His tomb, which is designed with Iranian architecture and tile decorations is located next to the tomb of Sheikh Farid al-Din Attar Neyshaburi in Neyshabur.