An Investigation of the Features of the Shica Iconography In Paintings in Coffeehouses of Qajar Period (with an Emphasis on Ashura Incident)

The Shiite culture and religion found its way in the religious literature and the art of Teymurid and Safawid periods, and reached its zenith under Qajars. In Qajar period, the political-social conditions prepared the ground for emergence of paintings with religious themes. Due to the evolutions after Constitutionalism, religious paintings were mainly restricted to popular ones drawn by non-professional painters. The art of painting as one of the spheres of human activities has continued in various forms of definitions and roles since long ago. Among the methods for depicting religious incidents and themes is the Shiite iconography in coffeehouses. One of the important methods for Shiite iconography in coffeehouse paintings is its close linkage with religion and Islamic beliefs. The research question is as follows: “What are the features of the Shiite iconography in coffeehouse paintings with Ashura theme?” Accordingly, the research aims at identifying the features of Ashura iconography in coffeehouse paintings by investigating the reflection of the Shiite beliefs. The research method was a descriptive one, and gathering data was done using library sources.