Editor's note
African Arts: The Impossible Collection – A Celebration of Timeless Masterpieces
African art, long rooted in ritualistic and spiritual contexts, transcends utility to reveal unparalleled aesthetic brilliance. Created by artists of extraordinary audacity, inventiveness, and virtuosity, African masks and sculptures have often been misunderstood, reduced to mere “idols” or “fetishes.” In truth, these works are profound expressions of a continent rich with histories, traditions, and diverse sensibilities.
In African Arts: The Impossible Collection, author Bérénice Geoffroy-Schneiter curates an extraordinary selection of African art masterpieces from prestigious private and public collections worldwide. This visually stunning volume features iconic pieces such as a sixteenth-century Nigerian queen mother ivory pendant and a commemorative figure from Cameroon-Grassfield, both displayed at The MET Museum. This edition serves as a manifesto, celebrating the bold vision of both known and unknown African artists, while inviting collectors, writers, and art enthusiasts to explore the continent's rich artistic legacy.
Through twelve captivating chapters, the book delves into the beauty and symbolism of Fang reliquaries, iconic masks, terra-cotta artifacts, and hypnotic metalworks. It also celebrates the duality of beauty and utility and the enduring theme of femininity in African art. Geoffroy-Schneiter’s insightful commentary and unique selection create an essential compendium, making this the first book to unite such significant artworks from around the globe.
A must-have for lovers of art and culture, African Arts: The Impossible Collection offers a timeless homage to the ingenuity and diversity of African artistry.
African art, long rooted in ritualistic and spiritual contexts, transcends utility to reveal unparalleled aesthetic brilliance. Created by artists of extraordinary audacity, inventiveness, and virtuosity, African masks and sculptures have often been misunderstood, reduced to mere “idols” or “fetishes.” In truth, these works are profound expressions of a continent rich with histories, traditions, and diverse sensibilities.
In African Arts: The Impossible Collection, author Bérénice Geoffroy-Schneiter curates an extraordinary selection of African art masterpieces from prestigious private and public collections worldwide. This visually stunning volume features iconic pieces such as a sixteenth-century Nigerian queen mother ivory pendant and a commemorative figure from Cameroon-Grassfield, both displayed at The MET Museum. This edition serves as a manifesto, celebrating the bold vision of both known and unknown African artists, while inviting collectors, writers, and art enthusiasts to explore the continent's rich artistic legacy.
Through twelve captivating chapters, the book delves into the beauty and symbolism of Fang reliquaries, iconic masks, terra-cotta artifacts, and hypnotic metalworks. It also celebrates the duality of beauty and utility and the enduring theme of femininity in African art. Geoffroy-Schneiter’s insightful commentary and unique selection create an essential compendium, making this the first book to unite such significant artworks from around the globe.
A must-have for lovers of art and culture, African Arts: The Impossible Collection offers a timeless homage to the ingenuity and diversity of African artistry.
Details & care
— Page Count: 232 pages
— Illustrations: Over 150
— Language: English
— Release Date: December 2024
— Cover: Hardcover in a Luxury Clamshell
— ISBN: 9781649804310
— Weight: 20.0 lb
— Author: Bérénice Geoffroy-Schneiter
— Illustrations: Over 150
— Language: English
— Release Date: December 2024
— Cover: Hardcover in a Luxury Clamshell
— ISBN: 9781649804310
— Weight: 20.0 lb
— Author: Bérénice Geoffroy-Schneiter
Size & Fit
— Dimensions: W 12 × L 15.25
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