TEHRAN - For the first time, an unseen portrait of Naser al-Din Shah of the Qajar dynasty will be unveiled to the public.

The painting, discovered among the belongings of the Sahebqaraniyeh Palace in northern Tehran, is set to be revealed on October 14 at the Blue Hall of the Niavaran palace complex, Mehr reported on Saturday.

The portrait has remained unseen until now, despite the existence of numerous images of Naser al-Din Shah, the report said.

Eyewitness accounts from Qajar courtiers, including Eyn al-Saltaneh, suggest that this painting is the closest depiction of the Shah’s true likeness.

The portrait, recently restored by conservator Mahnaz Asadi, was identified by Naser al-Din Shah-era researcher Mohammad Reza Behzadi, Mehr said.

It is believed to have been created by Kamal-ol-Molk, one of Iran’s most renowned painters, though the figure may have been painted by another artist.

Naser al-Din Shah was assassinated by Mirza Reza Kermani, a follower of Jamal al-Din al-Afghani, also known as Seyyed Jamal ad-Din Asadabadi, when he was visiting and praying in the Shah Abdol-Azim Shrine on May 1, 1896.

It is said that the revolver used to assassinate him was old and rusty and had he worn a thicker overcoat or been shot from a longer range, he would have survived the attempt on his life.

Shortly before his death, he is reported to have said, “I will rule you differently if I survive!” The assassin was prosecuted by the defense minister, Nazm ol-Dowleh.

Nasser-al-Din Shah’s assassination and the subsequent execution of Mirza Reza Kermani marked a turning point in Iranian political thought that would ultimately lead to the Iranian Constitutional Revolution during his successor Mozzafar-al-Din Shah’s turbulent reign.

The fourth Qajar monarch was buried in the Shah Abdol-Azim Shrine, in Ray, southeast Tehran, where he was assassinated.

AM