Images(4)

Seated Man

Label TextHand on his chin, this figure is a reminder of the countless men who sat through public meetings in the Kongo kingdom. Participants were seated in circles for open debates, a process that was watched and admired by observers as a demonstration of social art and organizational skill. At times up to a thousand individuals would convene to listen to exchanges of confessions, proverbs, songs and gifts.

Object number68.54

Photo CreditPhoto: Paul Macapia

Exhibition HistorySan Francisco, California, M. H. de Young Memorial Museum, Kongo Power Figures, Nov. 15, 1989 - Jan. 21, 1990. Seattle, Washington, Seattle Art Museum, Art from Africa: Long Steps Never Broke a Back, Feb. 7 - May 19, 2002 (Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, Philadelphia Museum of Art, Oct. 2, 2004 - Jan. 2, 2005; Hartford, Connecticut, Wadsworth Atheneum, Feb. 12 - June 19, 2005; Cincinnati, Ohio, Cincinnati Art Museum, Oct. 8, 2005 - Jan. 1, 2006; Nashville, Tennessee, Frist Center for the Visual Arts, Jan. 27 - Apr. 30, 2006 [as African Art, African Voices: Long Steps Never Broke a Back]). Text by Pamela McClusky. No cat. no., pp. 157, 159, reproduced pl. 78.

Credit LineNasli and Alice Heeramaneck Collection

Dimensions5 x 2 1/2 x 2 3/4 in. (12.7 x 6.4 x 7 cm)

MediumWood