Spirits Speak: A Celebration of African Masks

Stepan, Peter. Munich: Prestel, 2005.

Spirits Speak presents a selection of the most important African masks found in major museums and renowned private collections around the globe: an overview such as has never been compiled in this way before. Artistic mastery, charisma, age and authenticity were paramount selection criteria with only the best examples representing each well-known mask type. An introductory essay elucidates the conceptual intricacies and varying functions of the masks and sweeps away deep-rooted misunderstandings. Enlightening commentaries offer background information about the function and origins of wach mask's use within the ethnic groups from which they originate, and a foldout map places them in their original geographical context.

Peter Stepan is an art-historian specializing in Western and African art. He is the author and editor of numerous books including Picasso's Collection of African & Oceanic Art: Master of Metamorphosis.

188 pages, 256 color photographs, color, fold-out map.