Ashura event as the greatest incident in the history of Islam and Shiite was (and
is ) an ispiration source for the moslem artists. Ashura epitomaizes devotion and
gallantry in art mediums amon poetry, music, drama and specially painting.
Excelency Abolfazl-Al-Abbas (PBUH), the younger brother of Imam Houssein
(PBUH), is one of the most important combatant in Ashura day. His traits among
bonhomie, dedication, and braveness have attracted the moslem artists there and
then. Since Abolfazl (PBUH), though has a high position, is not an Imam in Shiite,
so Persian painters had (and have) not a rigid ban to paint his lovely face.
In religious iconography, then, there are many portraits from his remarkable face,
particularly in the portraiture of Qaveh-Khaneh school. Researchers in Iran believe
that foundation of Islamic Iconography is beholden to this popular icons and portraits.
They also maintain that this kind of painting found its original characteristics in
history and settled its position in Persian (and world) painting gradually.