A Letter by ‘Abbas Mirza to Napoleon I, Iran, dated 1808
<p>Accession Number:AKM251
</p><p>Place:Iran
</p><p>Dimensions:120 x 58 cm
</p><p>Date:1808
</p><p>Materials and Technique:ink, opaque watercolour, and gold on paper
</p>
At the time of writing this letter to Napoleon I of France, the 19-year-old crown prince ‘Abbas Mirza (1789–1833), son of Fath ‘Ali Shah, was spearheading the defence of Iran’s troops against Russia. In these conflicts, Iran had come to rely on French military technology and training. However, ‘Abbas Mirza here bemoans Napoleon’s two-year silence and inquires about the emperor’s next move as he outlines his feelings about Russia’s treachery. The imposing traditional style of the royal letter asserts Iran’s sovereignty in its communication with France.
Aga Khan Museum
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