History of Art in Africa

About this book

A groundbreaking work this is the first book to cover the arts of the entire continent of Africa including Egypt and to survey the art history rather than the cultural traditions of African peoples. The authors unique synthesis of up-to-date research on African arts of many periods and geographic areas has resulted in a major contribution to the literature of art history. Thousands of years of African art from prehistory to the present are considered encompassing sculpture painting architecture textiles ceramics and the myriad art forms of personal adornment and performance. Individual authors contribute chapters on their areas of expertise yet the whole volume works as a seamless text weaving together everything from prehistoric Saharan rock art to contemporary sculpture including the rich multi-faceted art of the African diaspora. Brilliantly illustrated throughout and including full indexes and bibliography this volume is a milestone in the study and future perception of African art. MONICA BLACKMUN VISON is associate professor in the Department of Art at Metropolitan State College Denver. ROBIN POYNOR professor in the School of Art and Art History at the University of Florida Gainesville curates exhibits of African art for museums and writes for the journal African Arts. HERBERT M. COLE professor of art history at the University of California Santa Barbara is the author of Icons: Ideals in the Art of Africa. MICHAEL D. HARRIS is assistant professor of art history at the University of North Carolina Chapel Hill. ROWLAND ABIODUN is professor of fine arts and black studies at Amherst College. SUZANNE PRESTON BLIER is a professor of African art in the departments of Fine Arts and Afro-American Studies at Harvard University and the author of Abrams Royal Arts of Africa: Majesty of Form. 729 illustrations 129 in full color 81/2 x 11"