The History of African Art

The History of African Art by Suzanne Preston Blier offers a concise, accessible, and up-to-date overview of the arts of Africa from prehistoric times to the present day.

This indispensable introductory guide explores the art of the African continent from its early origins over 150,000 years ago to the contemporary age. It is set in the context of post-colonial debates, the restitution of cultural objects and artefacts, and the challenges of the present. This enormous and complex field of study, once under-appreciated by the Western art world, is now of global importance and an essential subject of education in art history.

For ease of reference and analysis, this guide is structured chronologically into manageable and meaningful chapters. It covers ancient art, the Middle Ages, travel and trade, encounters with Europe in the age of exploration, the colonial era, the rebuilding of the continent in recent times, and contemporary art. The book addresses core, continent-wide themes in African visual and cultural expression, such as the life-cycle (motherhood, children, initiation, religion) and the body and representations of power dynamics. Important regional artistic expressions are also explored, including the cultures of Mali (the Western Sudan), Nigeria (the lower Niger and Benue area), the Congo Basin, and various nomadic populations across the continent.

Written from an inclusive modern perspective, focusing not only on royal traditions but also on the broader global history of the continent and its artistic practices, The History of African Art is an excellent introduction for students, museum visitors, and anyone with an interest in fine art, African history, and cultural studies.