Art of Ancient Africa

Art of Ancient Africa

Large and varied, Africa is a continent. Many civilizations and empires have come and gone throughout its history. The art of Ancient Africa is therefore rich and varied. On this page, we shall address some common themes seen in a large portion of African art.

Art of Ancient Africa

Regions

It is possible to categorize ancient African art into many regions. Following the conquest by Islam, the Arabs had a significant influence on the art of northern Africa. Similarly, Christianity and Europe had an impact on the art of Ethiopia and the Horn of Africa. Additionally, well-preserved examples of ancient Egyptian art can be discovered in tombs and temples. Nonetheless, the majority of people today associate African art with the creations of those who reside south of the Sahara Desert.

Materials

Ancient African art was created with a vast range of materials. Unfortunately, wood was used to create a great deal of African art, and time and weather have since destroyed it. Other materials that have endured include pottery, ivory, and metals (such as iron and bronze).

Three Dimensions

African art is primarily characterized by its frequent use of three dimensions as opposed to two. For instance, they employed sculpture more frequently than portraits on canvas. These are a few of the main artistic mediums utilized in ancient Africa.

Sculpture: Sculpture was one of the most important types of art in Ancient Africa. Sculptures were mostly made of people and sometimes animals. African artists often used wood for their sculpture, but they also used bronze, terracotta, and ivory.

Masks: Masks were an important part of art. They were often used together with dance to create a type of performance art. Masks were generally made of wood, but were often decorated with ivory, gems, paint, and animal fur.

Jewelry: Many ancient African civilizations created jewelry from gold, gems, shells, and other materials. Jewelry was an important part of showing one’s status and wealth.

Pottery: Ceramics were used for everyday items like bowls and cooking pots. However, some ceramics were works of art that were shaped and painted with fine details.

Human Form

The human form is a prominent motif in ancient African art. People are the main subject matter of most works of art. Individuals were occasionally depicted alongside animals or as a mix of animal and human. People were frequently shown in an abstract, non-naturalistic manner, with some traits accentuated and others completely absent.

Monumental Art and Architecture

Egypt is home to the most well-known examples of colossal art and architecture in Ancient Africa. Massive constructions like the pyramids, the Sphinx, temples, and statues (such the enormous pharaohs at Abu Simbel) were made by the Ancient Egyptians. The enormous obelisks of Aksum in Ethiopia, mosques such as the Great Mosque of Djene in Mali, and Ethiopia’s rock-cut churches are examples of massive constructions constructed by other African civilizations.

Facts about Ancient African Art

• Rock paintings found in Namibia are thought to be some of the oldest pieces of art in the world. They are estimated to be over 20,000 years old.
• Masks often looked like animals and represented the spirit of the animal in religious ceremonies.
• The abstract nature of African art had an influence on the modern art movements of Europe.
• Many times a small part of an African sculpture will be the same or similar to a larger part of the same sculpture. This is called “nonlinear scaling.”

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