Week 5: The Battle of Karbala
Medium: Acrylic Paint and Canvas
This painting represents Imam Husayn’s martyrdom in the Battle of Karbala. The Battle of Karbala occurred in 680 CE, or in the Islamic calendar on the 10th of Muharram and was between a small group of supporters sided with Prophet Muhammad’s grandson (Husayn) and a larger military force representing Yazid I of the Umayyad caliphate. Background into the battle and why it occurred will not be explored in detail (for more information see the Wikipedia link below).
The red of the painting symbolizes the bloody nature of the conflict. A few of Husayn’s men were against many in the opposition. The uneven nature of the battle, one can even call it the unfairness of the battle, are represented with wild brushstrokes littering the battlefield. The only figural object in the painting is the horse of Husayn. The whiteness of the horse symbolizes the purity of Husayn and the other martyrs, and also represents the majesty (or the station) of Husayn and his family. The horse, called Zuljanah, said to have killed 60 enemies of Husayn on its own and bequeathed to him by Prophet Muhammad, becomes a symbol of Husayn’s connection with the Prophet and Allah himself. In that sense, it is fitting that it was the only remnant of Husayn after the battle.
Husayn’s name was written (poorly) in calligraphy in yellow paint. Yellow paint was chosen to represent his illumination or enlightenment. This draws from the concept of the Nur of Muhammad, said to be passed along the lines of Imams.
We see Allah represented in this painting as well. Allah (written in white paint) is in the heavens (represented by the black) watching over the scene at Karbala. Allah is aware of the scene, and Husayn’s role in the conflict, but does not do anything to prevent it from happening. Rather, he leaves a way for Husayn’s legacy to continue (represented by the presence of Zuljanah). This was meant to show that Allah rewards the righteous in the next life and that only those who are righteous suffer in this life. It was also meant to show that Allah always leaves guidance, as per Shia belief. These are core tenants of Shia theology that were influenced heavily by the Battle of Karbala.
Link for more information:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Karbala