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Lot Essay
In 1973 at the time when Ghasem Hajizadeh painted this fascinating composition, he was considered as one of the most sought after artists of his time within Tehran's high society. With his kitsch and nave signature style, Hajizadeh depicted images of the past and portraits of popular icons.
Admired and supported by the art lovers and intellectuals of his generation, his work was considered as the finest example of Iranian Pop art while they hinted at his own feelings of nostalgia, playfulness and irony. Although Hajizadeh portrayed a great number of famous and popular characters - from Qajar princesses to Princess Stéphanie de Monaco, from Mossadegh to Iranian beloved female poet Forough Farrokhzad - the present portrait of Mahvash is one of the most interesting and intriguing paintings by the artist.
An Iranian Pop singer, dancer and actress, Mahvash was in her heyday in the 1950s in Iran, at a time when female entertainers were still frowned upon by society and referred to as femmes fatales. Coming from a poor family herself, she was admired by the poorer classes as much as the most fortunate families in Iran and soon became a superstar and respected avant-garde popular figure. Extremely daring in her attitude and voluptuous attire, she led the way for many women singers and actresses after her and captured the hearts of many. When she tragically died in a car accident in 1961, her funeral amassed large crowds from across the country and shook the cultural scene of the time.
In the present painting, Mahvash is depicted in her most sensual pose despite her bold features. She stands proud and dominates the composition although she appears small within the large space of the canvas. The work, painted in 1973, becomes a witness of the cultural scenes of pre-Revolutionary Iran and as such, is filled with nostalgia and popular references.
Admired and supported by the art lovers and intellectuals of his generation, his work was considered as the finest example of Iranian Pop art while they hinted at his own feelings of nostalgia, playfulness and irony. Although Hajizadeh portrayed a great number of famous and popular characters - from Qajar princesses to Princess Stéphanie de Monaco, from Mossadegh to Iranian beloved female poet Forough Farrokhzad - the present portrait of Mahvash is one of the most interesting and intriguing paintings by the artist.
An Iranian Pop singer, dancer and actress, Mahvash was in her heyday in the 1950s in Iran, at a time when female entertainers were still frowned upon by society and referred to as femmes fatales. Coming from a poor family herself, she was admired by the poorer classes as much as the most fortunate families in Iran and soon became a superstar and respected avant-garde popular figure. Extremely daring in her attitude and voluptuous attire, she led the way for many women singers and actresses after her and captured the hearts of many. When she tragically died in a car accident in 1961, her funeral amassed large crowds from across the country and shook the cultural scene of the time.
In the present painting, Mahvash is depicted in her most sensual pose despite her bold features. She stands proud and dominates the composition although she appears small within the large space of the canvas. The work, painted in 1973, becomes a witness of the cultural scenes of pre-Revolutionary Iran and as such, is filled with nostalgia and popular references.