Not currently on display at the V&A

Poster

ca. 1990 (made)
Artist/Maker
Place of origin

This poster depicts the bloody punishment of the Ummayed army after the Battle of Karbala in Iraq in 680AD. The battle was a significant defeat for those who believed Ali was the only rightful successor after the prophet Muhammad died. During the battle, Ali's two sons, Al-Abbas and Hussayn and many of their family were killed by a rival. Iranian Shi'ite Muslims still mourn their deaths during the month of Muharrem. They hold special ceremonies and display posters such as this one to remember the events that led to their death.


Object details

Category
Object type
Materials and techniques
Paper with printed design in coloured ink
Brief description
Poster, paper with printed design in coloured ink, the punishment for Karbala, Iran, ca. 1990.
Physical description
Poster, paper with printed design in coloured ink. The scene depicts a courtyard with a line of people standing around the edge, in the various men are undergoing forms of torture. The foreground shows a turbaned man on a thrown with his hand raised as if instructing the torture. In the bottom left corner of the scene a man is being burnt alive in a cauldron, another in the middle is being stabbed in the shoulder, in the background men are having their heads and various limbs cut off.
Dimensions
  • Length: 68.3cm
  • Width: 98.4cm
Production typeMass produced
Credit line
Given by Dr Patricia L. Baker
Subjects depicted
Summary
This poster depicts the bloody punishment of the Ummayed army after the Battle of Karbala in Iraq in 680AD. The battle was a significant defeat for those who believed Ali was the only rightful successor after the prophet Muhammad died. During the battle, Ali's two sons, Al-Abbas and Hussayn and many of their family were killed by a rival. Iranian Shi'ite Muslims still mourn their deaths during the month of Muharrem. They hold special ceremonies and display posters such as this one to remember the events that led to their death.
Collection
Accession number
ME.25-2011

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Record createdFebruary 3, 2011
Record URL
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