The uniqueness of the Iranian artistic language lies in a special pictorial language full of anthropomorphic images. This is largely due to the Shi’ite Islamic tradition, in which the cult of martyrs plays an important role. Theatrical performances, ritual processions, paintings on the themes of sacred history are some of the cultural events associated with Shi’ism in Iran. During the 19th century due to close interactions with the European art, a bright, emotional type of images emerged (tile panels, painting on canvas, lithographies, etc.), usually associated with the tragic battle of Karbala (the central Shi’ite sacred story). The phenomenon of “Karbala painting” includes depiction of narrative scenes, images of heroes and also related attributes and rituals. Formation of the original iconography of these events was associated with a special, deliberately illustrative and figurative language, designed for the ultimate emotional response. After the Islamic Revolution of 1979, the theme received a new meaning and continues to be one of the favorite patterms for contemporary Iranian artists.

Keywords: Shi’ism, religious art, figurative art, “coffeehouse” painting, “Karbala painting”, Qajars, contemporary art of Iran