Question

Reflect on the three portrait heads from Africa (Nok Head, Benin Head, Male Portrait Head from Nigeria, page 338) to emphasize the various types of stylistic representation from realism to idealization to abstraction. Also discuss the variety of materials used for each portrait.

Answer 1

The three African portrait heads are:

Nok Head: A work of stylized realism made from wood and ivory by an unknown artist from Bantu-dominated Central Africa. It is considered one of the finest examples of Bantu art in Central Africa.

Benin Head: An idealized portrait made from a combination of wood and ivory.

Male Portrait Head from Nigeria: A carving made from local materials with an expression that ranges from realism to abstraction.

The Nok culture may have emerged in 1500 BCE and continued until 1 BCE. The Nok people may have developed terracotta sculptures as part of a funerary culture. Nok sculptures often have:

Elaborate hairstyles

Heavy jewelry

Outlined, semicircular eyes with pierced pupils

Triangular or oval-shaped eyes