From the Kingdom of Benin to the arts of the Yoruba, Nigeria is home to ancient and vibrant art traditions.
c. 15th century–present
From the Kingdom of Benin to the arts of the Yoruba, Nigeria is home to ancient and vibrant art traditions.
c. 15th century–present
What is the art of Nigeria?
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The bronzes from Igbo-Ukwu have intricate designs and symbolism, and demonstrate technical virtuosity.
This large sculpture was made for Mami Wata, pidgin English for “Mother of Water," a charismatic being of great spiritual power celebrated in West and Central Africa and reimagined as deities such as La Sirene (Haitian Vodou) and Yemanjá (Candomblé and Umbanda) in Afro-Atlantic spiritual traditions.
This exceptional mask has a solid wooden core carved with two similar faces in opposing directions, often referred to as a Janus face.
These carved wooden figures have human faces but animal attributes, and reflected the achievements of their owners.
This brass head clearly portrays a person of status and authority, possibly a king (ooni) of Ife
Twin figures known as Ère Ìbejì reveal how a Yorùbá mother navigates the loss of twins
Royal patrons, artists, and power in the Kingdom of Benin.
The audience hall in the palace in Benin City communicated to visiting ambassadors, traders, courtiers, and subjects the power and wealth of the Oba, or king.
The convention of elongating the figure can be seen in many of Olowe’s carvings, to visually highlight the importance of the head that holds the inner spiritual power, dignity and strength, and sacredness of one’s destiny.
This mask depicts the king’s mother, whose ruthless political prowess ensured that her son became king.
The high rate of twining among the Yoruba peoples gave birth to a genre of spiritual objects for mourning parents.
Bank of America's Masterpiece Moment
Crafted in the 16th century, this pair of six-panel screens is painted in ink on paper and showcases both Yamato-e and Chinese painting styles. The work features pine trees―a typical Japanese motif―and it has beautifully captured the richness of a Japanese landscape.