TEHRAN – Veteran Iranian sculptor Reza Amir-Yarahmadi has died at the age of 59.

Amir-Yarahmadi was found dead on Thursday at his home in Lavasan, a resort town about 40 kilometers northeast of Tehran. He most likely died of heart failure, the Persian service of Honaronline has announced.

Amir-Yarahmadi was born in Borujerd, Lorestan Province, and moved to Tehran to pursue studies at the Academy of Fine Arts of the University of Tehran.

He had made sculptures of several great Persian luminaires such as Ferdowsi, Avicenna and Farabi.

He had also collaborated in the renovation of several monuments across the capital Tehran including the building of the Majlis [Iranian parliament).

His funeral procession will begin Sunday at the Iranian Artists Forum and he will be buried in the Artists Section of Behesht Zahra Cemetery in Tehran.

Photo:  Reza Amir-Yarahmadi in an undated photo

RM/MMS/YAW