The Life and achievements of Muhammad Ali Naqqashbashi

According Adhar Bigdili, Muhammad Ali was son of Abdal Biq Naqqashbashi (Painter Laureate)and grandson of Aliquli Biq Jabadar, court Painter of Shah Safi and Shah Abbas II Safawi. Adhar Bigdili credited Muhammad Ali with Naqqashbashi of Shah Tahmasp II Safawi and Nadir Shah Afshar. Having Learnt the art of Painting from his father, Muhamma Ali in turn trained Ali Ashraf, who worked under patronaige of Nadir Shah Afshar and his secretary and historian Mirza Mahdi Khan Astarabadi. Ali Ashraf known for a large number of painted and lacquered bookbindings, penboxes, and mirrorcases and worked in a small style. His dept to his teacher can be seen in his signature «ze ba'd Muhammad Ali Ashraf ast», which can be read as either Ali [The Prophet's son-in-law] is the noblest after Muhammad [The Prophet], or Ali Ashraf is a follower of Muhammad [Muhammad Ali]. Muhammad Ali traveled in Mzandaran and died there in 1172 (or 1169). Muhammad Baqir, The Painter, according to his signature, was son of Muhammad Ali and Pupil of Ali Ashraf. He is known for decorations in the Margins of manuscrips and copies of European prints and 17th-century painting and wash drawings. Muhammad Baqir said to have continued to work under Qajar ruler Fath Ali Shah. Muhammad Baqir, according to his signature, had a son known as Muhammad Hasan, who was Lacuered Painter in Isfahan and had there Karkhanah (workshop). According to a source, Muhammad Hasan was uncle of Safiyah Sultan daughter of Najaf Ali, court Painter of Qajar dynasty. Thus Najaf Ali was brother of Muhammad Hasan, or in other word, He was son of Muhammad Baqir and grandson of Muhammad Ali Naqqashbashi. So, the family of Muhammad Ali distinguished family of artist from Safawid to Qajar period. Muhammad Ali was noted painter of Safawid and Afsharid dynasty. He introduced a realistic style based on European painting and Persian Miniature painting and his style was continued by his sons and so on. Muhammad Ali's watercolours and painting including portraits of Nadir Shah and Mirza Mahdi Khan Astarabadi and historical figures. Attemped have been made to connect Muhammad Ali with painting in the Tarikh-i Jahan Goshay-i Nadiri composed by Mirza Mahdi Khan. This manuscript prepared for Mirza Mahdi Khan. This manuscript has fourteen paintings which ascribed all of the Paintings to Muhammad Ali. These Paintings include: 1-Battle of Nadir with Ashraf Afghan in Mihmandust. 2- Battle of Nadir with Afghans in Murchekhort. 3- Battle of Nadir with Ashraf Afghan in Zargan. 4- wedding day of Riza Quli Mirza in Mashhad. 5- captured of Heart by Nadir. 6- Battle of Nadir with Ottomans. 7- Battle of Nadir with Abudullah Pasha. 8- coronation of Nadir in Dasht-I Mughan. 9- siege of Qandhar. 10- Battle of Karnal. 11- Iranians in Palace of Muhammad Shah Gurkani. 12- Nadir in Court of Muhammad Shah. 13- captured of Khawrizm by Nadir; and so on. Some of Muhammad Ali`s Paintings are in albums of Gulistan Palace in Tehran. Muhammad Ali in his style combines westernization techniques such as perspective with typical techniques of Persian book illustration. This Article surveys life and achievements of Muhammad Ali Naqqashbashi.