Unlike the childlike Anis al-Dawla, constrained by the traditions of the royal harem, is Filizadeh’s depiction of Jayran, another favorite wife. Jayran was known as a fearless hunter and rider, who dressed in male attire for these activities. A modern woman even by today’s standards, Jayran is here translated into a biker babe, clothed in classic Qajar attire plus leather boots, jacket, and helmet.
Meaning gazelle in Turkish, Jayran was the daughter of a villager who would hold great sway over the shah’s court. She first came to the harem as a musician and singer, later catching the shah’s attention in a tale recalling the One Thousand and One Nights in which the shah became fond of the young singer who charmed her way into his heart.
