Note on transliteration -- Preface -- Introduction -- Part I. The portrait of Imam Ali: 1. The emergence of a prototypical model and its survival -- 2. Imam Ali in Shia memory -- 3. The iconography of Imam Ali and its reception -- Part II. The battle at Karbala: 4. The battle at Karbala in Shia memory and piety -- 5. Visual Karbala narratives in Shia piety -- 6. The parcham wall hanging -- 7. Representation and reception of Karbala in colour posters -- Part III. Images and decorative designs in ritual space: 8. The image as a votive gift -- 9. Images in the liturgy of commemoration and celebration -- 10. Decorative programmes across gendered ritual space -- 11. Transposing iconography -- Conclusion: visualizing and seeing in the service of Islam.