The Royal Arts of Africa: The Majesty of Form

by Suzanne Preston Blier

In Central & W. Africa in the centuries just before & after European contact, powerful kingdoms flourished, each with distinctive art practices. The royal arts of Benin, Yoruba, Dahomey, Asante, Kongo, Kuba etc are the subject of this book. What are the court-art traditions of the African royal states? How do art & architecture define individual, dynastic, royal & national identity? What is the impact on them of centuries of trade, colonization & religious exchange? How is this art to be understood within its cultural context? Blier draws on a vast range of individual objects-crowns & masks, thrones, regalia, palace architecture, painting, textiles, body decoration & jewelry-as well as archival photographs of art works in use in ceremonies & performances. Using detailed descriptions she offers a cultural reading of these complex arts. Her expert examination goes beyond particular visual analysis to explore vital questions of royalty, power, divine kingship, state cosmology, women's place at court, & the use of art in dynastic history, diplomacy & war.
Introduction: paradoxes of rule
The Benin kingdom: politics, religion & natural order
Yoruba & Dahomey: divine authority & the arts of royal history
The Asante kingdom: the golden ages of Ghana
Cameroon grasslands: royal art patronage in contexts of change
Kongo & Kuba: the art of rulership display
Conclusion: the continuing vitality of Africa's courtly arts
Timeline
Glossary
Bibliography
Picture Credits
Index

Genres: History, Africa, Art, Nonfiction, Anthropology, Art and Photography

272 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1998

Reviews

[Wally Wonka · Rating 4 out of 5]

OK, OK. So I didn’t actually read this book. But I did read all of the captions, which to be fair, have a lot of information and appear on almost every page of the book. So honestly, reading the captions is like reading 1/3 or more of the book. It’s a comprehensive guide to royal African art, with, as I mentioned, tons of visuals.

We saw Blier give a talk at the Art Institute about Picasso’s connection to African art, and I checked this book out from the library. Then, when we were in the Hudson Valley, New York, we walked into a used book store — and the first thing I saw was this book. It was fate.

Maybe one day I’ll read the actual text!

[Monica · Rating 3 out of 5]

Lots of excellent information. Not only did I learn about art but about numerous aspects of the history of different regions and their ruling class. The facts about the importance placed on twins was interesting. Educational but readable.

[Clivemichael · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautiful creative expression, fascinating collection, insightful reflection on the time.

[Elie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Très bien illustré, trés utile sur le sujet proposé. Comprend les tribus de l'afrique noire uniquement.