Benin. Visions of Africa

The Benin kingdom of the Edo people flourished in West Africa between the 15th and 19th centuries. The latest volume in the highly regarded Visions of Africa series explores the remarkable court art of this powerful empire. Their unique bronzes and stunning ivory and wood carvings enjoyed a place in the royal palace grounds of Benin City until 1897, when the empire succumbed to British rule and the works were scattered around the globe. These works were essential elements in court rituals and representation, and are reassembled here for the first time. In this beautifully illustrated study of a fascinating chapter in African art history, a leading scholar introduces the complex history, iconography, and function of Benin royal art and discusses various approaches to its interpretation and stylistic development.