A Short History of African Art

A Short History of African Art is an ambitious and panoramic survey that traces artistic production across the African continent from prehistoric rock art to contemporary expressions. Werner Gillon organises the material both thematically and regionally, presenting sculpture, architecture, textiles, metalwork, masks and ritual objects alongside discussions of context, function and meaning. The book is richly illustrated and extensive in scope—running to some 400+ pages in the Viking 1984 edition—making it both a readable introduction and a useful reference for students and general readers.

Gillon’s approach emphasises the deep historical roots of African visual culture while attending to local variation: West African wood sculpture, the monumental traditions of the Niger–Benue regions, the rock paintings of the Sahara and southern African rock art receive careful, illustrated treatment. The narrative also discusses the impact of trans-Saharan trade, Islamic influence on the Sahel, colonial disruption and post-colonial creative responses, framing artistic change as an interplay of continuity and adaptation. The book includes maps and plates that help readers place artworks within their cultural and geographical settings, and it foregrounds the performative and social roles many objects play—masking, initiation, chieftaincy and ritual.

As a compact but serious history, A Short History of African Art succeeds in balancing scholarly rigour with accessibility. Readers will find it especially valuable for its breadth, its visual documentation and its attention to the social lives of objects—how art functions within communities, ceremonies and power relations—rather than treating African art as mere aesthetic curiosities. The work remains a recommended starting point for those seeking a coherent, well-illustrated overview of Africa’s extraordinary artistic traditions.