H x W x D: 66 x 22 x 18 cm (26 x 8 11/16 x 7 1/16 in.)
Type:
Figure
Geography:
Mbulula, Democratic Republic of the Congo
Date:
Late 19th-early 20th century
Label Text:
This figure conveys dignity and power with its large ovoid head and delicately arched brows; closed, almond-shaped eyes; cruciform coiffure; elongated neck, arms and torso; protuberant abdomen and square shoulders. These traits are characteristic of a workshop in the Niembo chiefdom in the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo.
The Hemba, like their Kusu and Tumbwe neighbors, are a matrilineal people with a sculptural tradition devoted mainly to representations of male ancestors. Although every figure is the portrait of a specific person, the artist portrays generalized, not particular, individual traits. The figure is meant to reinforce notions about the importance of family continuity and the perpetuation of the clan.
Description:
Standing male figure with arms at sides and hands on slightly protruding stomach. The figure is missing the proper left leg and the proper right leg is fragmentary. The figure has an oval face with closed eyes and slightly protruding stomach and a lobed hairstyle with cross back.
Provenance:
Pierre Dartevelle, Brussels, -- to 1971
Emile M. Deletaille, Brussels, 1971 to 1985
Exhibition History:
Heroes: Principles of African Greatness, National Museum of African Art, Smithsonian Institution, Washington, D.C., November 16, 2019–October 3, 2021
African Mosaic: Selections from the Permanent Collection, National Museum of African Art, Smithsonian Institution, Washington, D.C., November 19, 2013–August 12, 2019 (installed September 17, 2015 to August 12, 2019)
Crosscurrents: Art of the Southeastern Congo, Smith College Museum of Art, Northampton, September 30, 2011-January 8, 2012, no. 40
Mellor, Stephen P. 2004. "The Exhibition and Conservation of African Objects: Considering the Nontangible." Art Tribal 7, pp. 108-109, no. 1.
National Museum of African Art. 1999. Selected Works from the Collection of the National Museum of African Art. Washington, D.C.: National Museum of African Art, Smithsonian Institution, pp. 137, no. 98.
Neyt, Francois. 1975. Approche des Arts Hemba. Arnouville: Arts d'Afrique Noire, cover.
Neyt, Francois. 1977. "La Grande Statuaire Hemba du Zaire." Publications d'Histoire de l'art et Archeologie de l'Universite Catholique de Louvain (12) 53, no. 20, 74, cat. 1, no.8.
Pemberton III, John. 2012. Crosscurrents: Art of the Southeastern Congo, pp. 53, 79, no. 40.
Sabena Review. 1974. Arnouville: Arts d'Afrique Noire, no. 1, 81.
Content Statement:
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