The young, precocious boy pictured in this photograph by Sevruguin has been tentatively identified as Malijak Aziz al-Sultan, known historically as the passive object of Nasir al-Din Shah’s desire. It has also been suggested that he could be Ahmad Shah, the last ruler of the Qajar dynasty (r. 1909–1925). No matter what the true identity of the subject, this portrait shows Sevruguin’s skill in capturing and portraying human personalities rather than stock image types.
Aziz al-Soltan’s position at court was marked by his close companionship with the Shah, often accompanying him on trips and being present during significant events. The Shah’s affection for him was so pronounced that he was frequently depicted in photographs and sketches taken by Naser al-Din Shah himself. One such photograph shows the Shah holding a sickly Aziz al-Soltan, highlighting the deep bond between them.
