THE AFRICANISTES of the 20th century

Our view today of Africa and African people is often principally an image of wildlife, colonialism and a fragile social and political environment. However, the images 'Africanistes' created, between 1900-1950, can be seen as precious records of an Africa which has since been profoundly changed by political upheavals, tribal rivalries and landslide epidemics. European artists were allowed to travel throughout the African continent and appreciated its beauty, poetry and the visual impact for what it was. Their work offers a detailed visual guide to the psychological complexities of race. It compounds the patchwork of colonial states as agreed among the European powers at the Berlin conference of 1884/85.

Many talented painters set up their semi-permanent studios in order to grasp an unforgettable experience. Without racial prejudice they show us a different world, an Africa seen through 'European' eyes, a passionate image of beauty and purity. They surprise us with great talent and beautiful interpretations of their own discoveries. While Picasso and Modigliani began to show the naturalistic attractiveness in a different way and allowed a primitive African aesthetic to influence their own style.