Mirza Abdul Hassan Khan Ilci
(1776-1845), Persian AmbassadorSitter in 1 portrait
Hassan led a diplomatic mission to the court of King George III where he sought support against the growing ambitions of Russia and the influence of the French. During his time in London Hassan became a figure of great fascination and the subject of paintings, popular prints and poetry. Sir Gore Ouseley hosted him on his visit and commissioned a portrait of him by Sir Thomas Lawrence. Hassan's journal reveals that Lawrence painted the portrait in four sittings. Ousely later encouraged Hassan to join the Free Masons (1810) and accompanied him back to Iran to finalise the treaty. The painting by Lawrence was taken with them. Upon Hassan's return to Iran he was given the honourable title of 'Khan' and 'Ilchi' (envoy).
Mirza Abdul Hassan Khan Ilci ('His Excellency the Persian Ambassador')
by and published by Richard Dighton, reissued by Thomas McLean
hand-coloured etching, published May 1819
NPG D13698
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MOHAMAD TAVAKOLI-TARGHI
19 February 2016, 00:21
Persian Ambassador, Mirza Abol Hassan Khan Ilchi, travelled to England on two occasions in the 1810s. He has written the report of his trip to English, Hayrat Nameh.