About Reza Abbasi
Reza Abbasi was a Persian painter, draftsman, and a key figure in establishing the Isfahan School. Born in 1562, he passed away in 1635. He initially learned painting under the guidance of his father, Ali Asghar Kashani, and began his artistic career in Qazvin. Early in his career, he signed his works as "Aqa Reza" but later adopted the title "Abbasi" upon joining the court of Shah Abbas I.
Reza Abbasi followed the artistic tradition of Kamal al-Din Behzad and was influenced by painters of the preceding generation, such as Sheikh Mohammad and Mirza Ali. Art historian Rouin Pakbaz categorizes his career into three phases: his time in Qazvin and the royal workshop in Isfahan, an independent period outside the court, and his return to the royal workshop.
Renowned for his mastery in depicting human and animal figures, Reza Abbasi skillfully employed the visual qualities of line to convey volume and the intricate folds of garments. His surviving works primarily consist of single-sheet drawings and paintings. He also played a significant role in training notable painters, including Mo'in-e Mosavver and Shafi Abbasi.
The Most Expensive Artwork
At Auctions
First Attendance
20 November 2012
# Attendance
5
# Artworks
6
Average Realized Price
384,927 USD
Average Min Estimate
175,956 USD
Average Max Estimate
258,443 USD
Sell-through Rate
83.333%
Average Growth of Artwork Worth
90.579%
Timeline
Exceptional Paintings from the Personal Collection of Prince & Princess Sadruddin Aga Khan auction
28 October
The 22nd Tehran - Modern, Classic and Traditional Iranian Art auction
14 February
Art of the Islamic and Indian Worlds Including Oriental Rugs and Carpets auction
27 October
Art of the Islamic and Indian Worlds Including Oriental Rugs and Carpets auction
25 October
Oriental Arts auction
20 November
Articles
Top-Priced Iranian Artworks at Auction in 2025 27 December 2025
The present article focuses on ten high-value Iranian artworks sold at auction in 2025. These works represent eight prominent artists spanning Iran’s classical, modern, and contemporary periods, including Reza Abbasi, Mohammad Qasim, Mo'en Mosavver, Bahman Mohasses, Ali Banisadr, Hossein Zenderoudi, and Manoucher Yektai. All of the works were executed on paper or canvas and were sol...
The 22nd Tehran Auction Report: The First Auction of Modern, Classic, and Traditional Iranian Art 18 February 2025
The 22nd edition of Tehran Auction, focusing on modern, classic, and traditional Iranian art, was held on the evening of February 15, 2025, at the Parsian Azadi Hotel in Tehran. The auction was conducted by Shahriar Rabbani, an Iranian presenter and actor. In this edition, 85% of the presented artworks (84 out of 99) were sold, generating a total of $2.6 million. A work by Reza Abba...