African Art

Ancient Egypt

The Bust of Nefertiti: Ancient Masterpiece or Genius Hoax?

On December 6, 1912, a team of excavators from the Deutsche Orient-Gesellschaft, led by Ludwig Borchardt, unearthed a wonderful work of art. They...

Montaine Dumont 18 October 2024

Ancient Egypt

The Egyptian Icon in Berlin: The Bust of Queen Nefertiti

The bust of Queen Nefertiti housed in Berlin’s Neues Museum is one of Ancient Egypt’s most famous works of art. A prime example of ancient...

Nadine Waldmann 18 October 2024

Artist Stories

Faces of Mozambique: How Malangatana Reflected His Native Culture in Art

One of the most prominent African artists of the 20th century, Malangatana was a multitalented artist who had many dreams. He realized them with his...

Merve Parla 9 August 2024

Pectoral with Isis, ca. 538 to 519 BCE, Museum of Fine Arts, Boston, MA, USA. Nubian gold Ancient Egypt

All The Glitters: Gold of Nubia

The ancient African civilization of Nubia thrived along the banks of the Nile, encompassing present-day Sudan and southern Egypt. Nubia gained renown...

Maya M. Tola 29 July 2024

Masterpiece Stories

Masterpiece Story: Saint Anne

To the south of Egypt is the mysterious land of Nubia. It has a complex history due to the different states and religions that have occupied the...

James W Singer 17 March 2024

Masterpiece Stories

Masterpiece Story: Queen Mother Idia of Benin

Africa is a beautiful continent filled with sweeping landscapes and mighty rivers. Its history is filled with great kingdoms and large empires. Its...

James W Singer 3 March 2024

Warrior and Attendants, 16th-17th century, brass, Royal Palace, Benin City, Nigeria, Metropolitan Museum of Art, NYC, USA. Detail. Masterpiece Stories

Masterpiece Story: Warrior and Attendants of Benin

Warrior and Attendants is a masterpiece of Benin art. It encapsulates the beauty of Africa and its people. Black is beautiful. Black is...

James W Singer 11 February 2024

Ramesses II, New Kingdom, 19th Dynasty, 1279–1254 BCE, granodiorite, Temple of Amun, Karnak Temple Complex, Thebes (Luxor), Egypt, Museo Egizio, Turin, Italy. Detail. Masterpiece Stories

Masterpiece Story: Ramesses II

The statue of Ramesses II is a masterpiece of ancient Egyptian sculpture that proclaims the royal majesty and prowess of Ramesses the...

James W Singer 11 February 2024

Lalibela rock-hewn churches cover African Art

Medieval Christian Monoliths: The Rock-Hewn Churches of Lalibela, Ethiopia

The highlands of northern Ethiopia contain eleven fascinating and unique churches. The so-called rock-hewn churches of Lalibela were carved directly...

Alexandra Kiely 8 February 2024

Masterpiece Stories

Masterpiece Story: Fowling in the Marshes

Ancient Egypt. The famous land of Tutankhamun evokes popular images of pyramids, mummies, and tombs. It left an artistic heritage that is still...

James W Singer 3 December 2023

El Anatsui: Behind the Red Moon, Installation View, Tate Modern, London, UK. African Art

5 Things to Know About El Anatsui’s Turbine Hall Commission at Tate Modern

On October 10th, the doors of Tate Modern in London swung open, unveiling a long-awaited exhibition: the annual Turbine Hall Hyundai Commission. The...

Natalia Tiberio 2 November 2023

African Art

Art and Culture of the Dogon People of Africa

African art and culture had been a driving inspiration to European modern artists like Pablo Picasso, Paul Gauguin, and Amedeo Modigliani, among...

Urvi Chheda 9 August 2023