Dr. Mohammad Mosadeq 1990

Morteza Katouzian painted this portrait of Dr. Mohammad Mosadeq using oil on canvas. The somber mood is immediately set by the restricted palette and the subject's pensive posture. Notice how Katouzian uses broad, gestural brushstrokes in shades of olive and brown to create a sense of depth and shadow, drawing our attention to the focal point of Mosadeq's face. The formal composition speaks volumes. The hand obscures part of his face, which invites a semiotic reading – it acts as a signifier of internal struggle. Mosadeq is known for his role in Iran's nationalization of oil, which destabilized established power structures. The subdued colors and obscured features seem to suggest not just personal reflection, but also the weight of political decisions. The act of obscuring and revealing becomes a powerful tool, suggesting that identity is not fixed. The painting functions within a discourse about power, representation, and the complex interplay between the personal and political.