RFI: Artist

Fine Art

I need some help, and I have no idea where to start.  Observe this oil painting:

All I know about it is mostly supposition:

  • the unknown artist is supposedly Iranian (or perhaps Persian, back when it was painted)
  • he was supposedly a court painter for the Shah of Iran/Persia
  • the painting is one of a small series — this one is called, I think, “Green”, and others are likewise entitled “Blue”, “Red”, etc.
  • it’s quite large:  60″x48″
  • it was purchased sometime during the 1980s, from a gallery in Los Angeles.

That’s all I know.  I’ve looked and looked all over Teh Intarwebz, but nada.

If anyone can shed light on the piece, or tell me where I can look further, I’d be eternally grateful.

4 comments

  1. Google Image comes up with this rather circular reference. Sorry if this is painful. At least you have a name. Also, I would suggest contacting Sotheby’s Art Department. My Brother -in-law uses them with great success.

    https://www.sothebys.com/en/sell/paintings

    “Green” by the Iranian artist, Manouchehr Niazi. I haven’t been able to find out too much about him, but it was my understanding that he has been referred to as “The Master of One Color.” He was also (supposedly) the former Shah of Iran’s court painter. I was also told that there is a pair to this one that is red (the “Hell” equivalent, I think). We’re interested in selling it. We think its value is about $6,000.
    … less
    mrsdutoit
    Connie du Toit

    ……….. and add a zero to that estimate.

  2. additional info

    Manoucher Niazi is an Iranian Postwar & Contemporary painter who was born in 1936. Shirin Gallery, Tehran featured Manoucher Niazi’s work in the past.Manoucher Niazi’s work has been offered at auction multiple times, with realized prices ranging from 157 USD to 201,119 USD, depending on the size and medium of the artwork. Since 2011 the record price for this artist at auction is 201,119 USD for Untitled, sold at Tehran Auction in 2022.

    https://www.mutualart.com/Artist/Manoucher-Niazi/B6935F5AFA4EF5BA/Biography

    Looks like he is still alive, so his works have not yet reached the threshold of the great art artist career enhancer and value multiplier — dead artist. But I suspect there are enough wealthy Iranian expats that might be still be interested. The value is all perception driven by the “Greater Fool Theory”. It needs a great story and a Provenance. That’s what the Auction house experts provide.

    Maybe two zeros — but at some point the value gets to be where the Mullahs might get interested and want their art back from the Great Satan who obviously obtained it illegally.

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