Yahya Ghaffari
Yahya Khan Ghaffari also known as Abul-Hasan Salés, son of Sani al-Mulk, was one of the royal court painters of the Qajar era during the reigns of Naser al-Din Shah Qajar and Mozaffar ad-Din Shah Qajar. He belonged to the artistic Ghaffari family, several generations of whom were involved in painting and miniature art.
Life
Title of Abul-Hasan Salés
It is said that he received the title of Abul-Hasan Salés from Naser al-Din Shah due to his resemblance to his father and the Shah's admiration for Sani al-Mulk. The title was meant to signify the continuation of the family's tradition and artistic heritage. Before him, Abu'l-Hasan Mostawfi Ghaffari was called Abul-Hasan Aval, and his father, Sani al-Mulk, was known as Abul-Hasan Dovom.
Death
The exact dates of his birth and death are unknown. However, based on evidence and documentation, he was alive until 1324 AH. According to the Metropolitan Museum of Art's database, his death is estimated to have occurred between 1273 and 1284 SH, which aligns with the aforementioned date.
One of the significant events in Abul-Hasan Salés's life was the suicide of Abu Torab Ghaffari in his house. It is said that Abul-Hasan Salés neglected to save him. Some sources suggest that this behavior was due to his jealousy of Mirza Abu Torab's artistic talent. He lived through the era of Mozaffar ad-Din Shah, and his works and activities formed a part of the Qajar era's artistic heritage.
Artistic style
Abul-Hasan Salés was a pupil of his father and became known for his watercolour and oil paintings. Besides his skills in these styles, he was also interested in replicating the works of Renaissance painters. His remaining works include landscapes and oil paintings, which reflect both his influence from Western art and his adherence to Iranian artistic roots.