Kongo: Power and Majesty

Author: LaGamma, AlisaBrand: Metropolitan Museum of Art New YorkEdition: First EditionBinding: HardcoverNumber Of Pages: 308Release Date: 29-09-2015Part Number: 261 color illus.Details: A compelling examination of one of the most artistically rich and creative African kingdoms Artists from the kingdom of Kongo—a vast swath of Central Africa that today encompasses the Republic of Congo, the Democratic Republic of Congo, and Angola—were responsible for outstanding creative achievements. With the influx of Portuguese, Dutch, and Italian merchants, missionaries, and explorers, Kongo developed a unique artistic tradition that blended European iconography with powerful indigenous art forms. An initially positive engagement with Europe in the 15th century turned turbulent in the wake of later displacement, civil war, and the slave trade—and many of the artworks created in Kongo reflect the changing times. This comprehensive study is the first major catalogue to explore Kongo’s history, art