The Art of Benin
Author: Paula Girshick Ben-Amos
First Published: 1980
Paperback: 128 pages
Publisher: Smithsonian; Rev Sub edition (June 17, 1995)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 1560986107
ISBN-13: 978-1560986102
Details: This is an illustrated introduction to the art and history of the ancient kingdom of Benin from the 14th century to the 20th century, one of the most sophisticated kingdoms in Africa. Benin has a tradition of refined and beautiful representations of animals, figures, commemorative heads of kings and queens, relief plaques and staffs of office. In this revised and updated edition of her 1980 study, Paula Girshick Ben-Amos explains the role played by art in every aspect of Benin life: at court, in private homes, in the urban capital and in the villages. Drawing on oral traditions, archaelogical discoveries, travellers’ accounts going back to the 16th century and her own research in Africa she describes how the ancient art of Benin emerged under the patronage of the successive obas (kings). Social, political and religious innovations brought about developments in style, and ideas and motifs from neighbouring African peoples and from Europe were absorbed over time without changing the character of this art tradition.