Africa—the Art of a Continent

Phillips, Tom, Africa—The Art of a Continent; Prestel Verlag, 1999.

As the birthplace of the human race, Africa possesses a cultural history of unparalleled length. This magnificent publication reflects that vast time span: the objects included range from the oldest known human artifact (1.6 million BC) to pieces made within living memory. In word and image the book celebrates the extraordinary variety of African art and the consummate skill of its creators.

This book provides a survey of 100 visually spectacular objects from Africa. As befits current thinking, the catalog (and exhibition) surveys the entire continent, including ancient Egypt and Nubia and north and northwestern Africa as well as the sub-Saharan region. Each object is reproduced in color and accompanied by extensive catalog entries written by over 60 expert contributors. Highly recommended for any library with an interest in African art.

615 pages, 801 color and 53 black-and-white photographs.