What is the name of the painting seen in the background in these recent news photos of the Taliban taking over the presidential palace? (scroll down for a better view) What scene is depicted in the painting? I thought the Taliban didn’t like that sort of thing.
I believe that is the “Coronation of Ahmad Shah Durrani”, founder of modern Afghanistan. Here is a different version of the scene:
Yes, that must be it! Thank you! On one hand, I understand why they chose to be photographed in front of it, but on the other hand I don’t understand how this painting does not violate the prohibition of depictions of the living.
Give them a hot minute. They literally just conquered a country. They’ll get around to redecorating eventually.
A bit more seriously, Islam doesn’t exactly have an absolute ban on depictions of human beings. Idolatry is strongly condemned. And historically, those prohibitions have often been read as banning any sort of depiction of human beings. But not universally. In Persia and further east, in many periods, depictions of human beings in artwork was actually common.
I don’t know about the Taliban’s specific views on representational art to know how they would view a painting like that. I’d suspect they’d fall on the iconoclastic extreme, but I’m not entirely sure they’d have a religious objection to a painting of a historical event.
You’re not entirely sure they’d have a religious objection to a painting of an historical event?
Sure they will! There are human images depicted in that historical painting.
“Afghanistan is ruled by an Islamic group, the Taliban, that severely enforces its strict interpretation of the Islamic ban on human images and idols, which are viewed as an insult to God.”
Fish Cheer (OP) -
You are absolutely right, the Taliban does not like that sort of thing.
gdave may be right about the redecorating thing.
Wouldn’t the fact that they’re posing for photographs violate their prohibition on depictions of humans?
There was a tremendous loss of artwork due to Taliban destruction of museums, art, and cultural artifacts, such as dynamiting the Buddas of Bamiyan.
Well, the locals are not taking any chances…
You know, I was wondering the same thing. Not sure how that works.
I’m having trouble finding much info on why the Taliban is suddenly “okay” with photographs.
Found this…
Yeah, give them time.
When they get their feet under the table they can turn their attention to re-starting their “who can be most hard-line Islamic?” competition. I heard there was a very high standard the last time it was held.
I think a ceremonial burning of that and other paintings will form the basis of the preliminary rounds.
They are not a monolithic entity. Even last time (when they were much more centralised than now), it really depended on the whims of the local commanders.
I think that’s more based on the prohibitions on depicting naked females - that is, females with their faces or head uncovered. that was a beauty salon and did wedding dress sales.
That whitewashing eliminates any depictions of humans is a bonus.