Eternal War, Second Circle

Samira Abbassy

2011 · Oil on gesso · Islamic Art

"The Second Circle" is the second in a series of multipanel modular oil paintings by Samira Abbassy entitled "Eternal War" that charts the history of warfare from the pre-modern era to the present. All but the first and the last panels are interchangeable, allowing for the presentation of multiple narratives. Using the language of Persian miniature painting, the artist sensitively portrays the spectacles and grim realities of war and the cult of martyrdom. This series presents subtle allusions to battle paintings from the Shahnama and the Khamsa and oil paintings of the early nineteenth century.

Artist

Samira Abbassy

Date

2011

Medium

Oil on gesso

Department

Islamic Art

Credit line

Purchase, 2011 NoRuz at The Met Benefit, 2013