African art: Influence on Western Art

African art came to European notice c.1905, when artists began to recognize the aesthetic value of African sculpture. Such artists as Vlaminck, Derain, Picasso, and Modigliani were influenced by African art forms. Interest in the arts of Africa has flourished, and many modern Western artists have rediscovered the enduring qualities of African art. In the latter part of the 20th cent., African art has come to be appreciated for its intrinsic aesthetic value as well as continuing to be a source of inspiration for the work of Western artists.

Sections in this article:

• Introduction
• Collections
• Influence on Western Art
• The Congo Region
• Cameroon and Gabon
• Nigeria
• Western Sudan and Guinea Coast
• Bibliography

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