Fabian Mpagi

Ruth Schaffner, Nairobi (acquired directly from the artist)

Thence by descent to the present owner

Fabian Mpagi’s In the Church (1973) is a striking example of early East African modernism, capturing both a sense of place and a deep spiritual atmosphere, and its origins are closely tied to one of the most significant periods in the development of contemporary art in the region.

This evocative painting was in the collection of Ruth Schaffner, a collector and dealer whose vision would help transform the cultural landscape of East Africa. German-born, Schaffner fled pre-war Europe and later became a celebrated art dealer in the United States and Africa. In Nairobi, she founded the influential Gallery Watatu, a landmark institution that not only presented work by established East African artists but also discovered, nurtured, and championed emerging talent. Under Schaffner’s stewardship, Gallery Watatu became a beacon for artists like Mpagi, Jak Katarikawe, and many others, providing platforms for experimentation and international exposure. Her dedication to local artists and belief in the value of their work catalyzed a flourishing of the Kenyan and wider East African art scene in the late twentieth century.

In the Church reflects the period’s rich blending of personal narrative and communal experience: its composition, likely influenced by Mpagi’s Ugandan heritage, places everyday spiritual life at the heart of his early practice. Works like these, circulated and celebrated through Watatu, connected local tradition to a global audience, and remain powerful artifacts of a transformative era in African art history. The painting comes to auction with a distinguished provenance, having descended directly from Schaffner herself to the present owner.

For collectors and historians alike, this work is a testament both to Mpagi’s talent and to Ruth Schaffner’s enduring legacy as a pioneer, mentor, and tireless advocate for African contemporary art.