Interesting photo of the harem of Nasser al-DIN Shah Qajar, crushing stereotypes.
Recently the North Korean leader Kim Jong-UN announced the decision to revive the tradition of his grandfather and father and to have his own harem “the pleasure Garden”. In the view of European harem is a lot of young and beautiful women from Arab fairy tales “1000 and one nights”. Meanwhile, curious photo of harem Nasser al-DIN Shah Qajar, who was in power in Iran at the end of the 19th century, crushing the stereotypes.
According to historians, Nasser al-DIN Shah Qajar for its time was very well educated and reputed sybarite. One of the many passions of Shah Qajar was a picture. When he came to power, decided to establish the Palace’s first official Studio.
In 1870-ies in Tehran Russian photographer Anton sevrjugin has opened its own Studio, and later became court photographer to the Iranian ruler. Sevrjugin has created a chronicle of Iran and for his services he was awarded the honorary title.
Russian photographer allowed to shoot the Shah, his male relatives, courtiers and servants. As a Qajar, an ardent fan photo, left right to withdraw his harem, which he had, according to historians, about 100 concubines.
According to Shiite law, was not allowed to remove people’s faces, especially the faces of the women. And only the most powerful man in the country could afford to break the law.
Beloved wife of Shah Anis al-Doleh
Peerless Anis al-Doleh (right)
Peerless Anis al-Doleh (sitting)
A young concubine with a hookah.
Photos of women challenged conventional wisdom about life in the harem – the Shah’s wife look quite modern and self-confident, they calmly look into the camera lens, not flirting and not shy.
It is even conceivable that the wives in the harem were friendly relations – on some photos of the group at the picnic.
Nasser al-DIN Shah Kadjar c some women of the harem.
Anis al-Doleh.
Completeness as the main criterion of beauty.
It is known that in 1873 Nasser ed-DIN Shah on the invitation of Alexander II traveled to St. Petersburg and attended the ballet. According to the legend, he was fascinated by the Russian dancers, for their women have entered full skirts like ballet tutus.
From the photographs we can judge the tastes of the Iranian monarch – all women in the body, fused with thick eyebrows and prominent mustache. This once again proves that beauty is a subjective concept and the criteria of attractiveness are fundamentally different in different countries and at different times.
