Within the Realm of a Dying Harem

A notable finding from the Golestan Palace Archives reveals the complex social dynamics and photographic culture within the Qajar harem during the late 19th century. The study highlights how photography, already a staple of court life, shaped relationships among women, including the shah’s temporary wife, Khanom Bashi, and Anis al-Dowleh, the 'Queen of Iran.' By analyzing these photographs through Ariella Azoulay’s framework, which treats photography as an act rather than a mere document, the research demonstrates how visual representation influenced courtly behavior and hierarchy. This approach offers a unique lens to understand the agency and ontology of women in Iranian court life during this period.

Scheiwiller, S. G. (2025). Within the Realm of a Dying Harem. Women’s Agency and Ontology in Nineteenth-Century Iranian Photography, 115–133. https://doi.org/10.4324/9781003543190-6