Abolhassan Sadighi (5 October 1897 – 11 December 1995), widely known as Master Sadighi, was one of Iran’s most prominent sculptors and painters and a distinguished disciple of Kamal-ol-Molk. He is often regarded as the pioneer of modern sculpture in Iran. His most celebrated works include the statues of Ferdowsi in Tehran and Tus, Khayyam in Tehran’s Laleh Park, Nader Shah in Mashhad, Ya’qub Layth Saffari in Zabol, and the iconic portrait of Avicenna (Ibn Sina).

Born in Tehran’s Oudlajan neighborhood into a distinguished family, Sadighi demonstrated artistic talent from an early age. Despite family expectations for a different career path, he devoted himself to art and became one of the most influential figures in Iranian visual arts during the twentieth century.

Education
Primary education at Aghdasieh School, Tehran
Secondary studies at Alliance School, Tehran
Formal artistic training at the School of Fine Arts under Kamal-ol-Molk
Graduated with distinction from the School of Fine Arts in 1920
Advanced studies in sculpture and stone carving at the École Nationale Supérieure des Beaux-Arts in Paris under Angealbert (1928–1933)

Activities and Works
Academic and Professional Activities
Instructor of painting at the School of Fine Arts
Re-established and taught at the School of Fine Arts after returning from Europe
Professor at the Faculty of Fine Arts, University of Tehran
Head of the Sculpture Department at the University of Tehran
Member of the National Heritage Society of Iran
Major Sculptural Works
Statue of Ferdowsi, Ferdowsi Square, Tehran
Statue of Ferdowsi, Tus Mausoleum
Statue of Nader Shah Afshar, Mashhad
Statue of Omar Khayyam, Laleh Park, Tehran
Statue of Ya’qub Layth Saffari, Zabol
Statue of Amir Kabir, Mellat Park, Tehran
Statue of Avicenna, Hamedan
Relief sculpture on Kamal-ol-Molk’s tomb in Neyshabur
“The Flute Player” (Haj Moqbel), one of his most renowned early sculptures
Paintings and Drawings
Created approximately 160 paintings during his years in Europe
Produced highly acclaimed copies of masterpieces by Raphael, Rembrandt, Rubens, and Ingres at the Louvre Museum
Designed the official and widely accepted portrait of Avicenna
Created influential portraits of Ferdowsi, Saadi, and Hafez that became standard visual representations of these literary figures

Achievements and Awards
Recognized as the founder of modern sculpture in Iran
Awarded the Commendatore, one of Italy’s highest artistic honors, during the unveiling of the Ferdowsi statue in Rome’s Villa Borghese
Praised internationally; Italian sculptor Gostino Ambrosi referred to him as the “Second Michelangelo of the East”
Played a foundational role in the development of modern art education in Iran
Subject of the documentary film Saramad (The Masterpiece), produced in 2015, highlighting his life and artistic legacy.