Sani al-Molk

Abu'l-Hasan Khan Ghaffari Kashani (1814–1866) (Persian: ابوالحسن غفاری‎‎), also known as Sani ol Molk (Persian: صنیع‌الملک‎‎) was an Iranian painter, miniature and lacquer artist and book illustrator.

In 1829 he became a pupil of Mihr 'Ali, the best of Fath-Ali Shah Qajar's court painters. His 1842 portrait of Mohammad Shah Qajar secured him a position at the court. He spent the years between 1846 and 1850 in Italy, studying the works of Italian masters. Upon his return to Persia, he was appointed naqqāšbāšī (chief painter) of the court and became involved with the newly established Dar ul-Funun, the first modern institution of higher learning in Iran. In 1853, he supervised a team of 34 painters in creating 1,134 pages of miniature illustrations for a Persian edition of One Thousand and One Nights, now housed at the Golestan Palace library. In his last years he assumed more administrative responsibilities, editing government periodicals and supervising printing establishments in the country. In 1861, he received the title Sani ol Molk, by which he is commonly known.

He was the uncle of Mohammad Ghaffari (Kamal ol molk), a court painter during the reign of Nasser ad-Din Shah.

Portrait of Mohammad Shah Qajar, 1841

Two young lovers and a hairdresser. 1843, oil painting, Golestan Palace

Portrait of Ardashir Mirza. 1853

Portrait of Ardashir Mirza. 1854, guache on paper.

Portrait of Naser al-Din Shah Qajar. 1854, miniature, Louvre

Portrait of Mostofi ol Mamalek, 1860s, miniature, Malik National Museum of Iran

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