Iranian diplomat Mirza Reza Khan Arfa' al-Dawlah (d. 1937), by Henri Gervex, dated 1898

A qajar diplomat, mirza reza khan arfa' al-dawlah (d. 1937), by henri gervex (french, 1852-1929) oil on canvas, signed and dated 1898 upper left, in an ornate gilt frame 71. 5 x 58 cm.;frame 94 x 80 cm. Reza khan arfa' al-dawlah was a diplomat and poet with the pen-name danesh. He started his education at a theological school in tabriz, moved to istanbul to work in his brother-in-law's shop, at the same time studying turkish and french. Later in tifils (tbilisi), he found a menial job at the persian consulate. He started his career in 1873 as an interpreter and was appointed third secretary at the consulate in tbilisi. He was later persian consul and persian minister to the russian court at st petersburg in 1895; and ambassador to the ottoman court in 1900. He was given the title mirza (translated as prince) by muzaffar al-din shah qajar in 1899. He was also known for his luxurious mansion in monaco. He died in tehran in 1937. Date: 1898.