Naser al-Din Shah 1855 - 1858

This striking portrait of Naser al-Din Shah, the Shah of Persia from 1848 to 1896, was taken by Italian photographer Luigi Pesce between 1855 and 1858. It depicts the Shah seated in a formal pose, wearing traditional Persian attire, including a tall, black hat with a plume, a fur-trimmed coat, and a richly embroidered sash. The photograph, now housed at the Metropolitan Museum of Art, offers a rare glimpse into the life and style of one of the most prominent figures in 19th-century Persian history. The stark lighting and the straightforward composition are characteristic of the early photographic portraits, highlighting the Shah's prominent mustache and piercing gaze.