The Discursive Spaces of Qajar Photography

Mirjam Brusius

University of Oxford

When the mid-19th century European travellers documented Persia’s heritage with a photographic camera, many compiled albums that came to have ubiquitous aesthetic and political functions. Consequently, in the 20th century, some of the albums ended up in different discursive spaces: some can be found in state archives as diplomatic gifts compiled by the Shah, some became indispensable tools for archaeologists, others were admired by Islamic art curators in museums for their laquerwork bindings. This lecture explores some of the fascinating biographies of these albums, including the impact they still have today.

Admission to lecture closes 10 minutes after scheduled start time. 

Reception to follow.

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 Registration is required at isaw.nyu.edu/rsvp