Ben Enwonwu

Acquired directly from the artist, London, c.1961

Rosebery's, Mid 20th Century, 01 November 2014, Lot 427

Acquired from the above sale by the present owner

The present lot was likely inspired by Fang sculpture as evidenced in the long neck and the high, domed forehead. It is known that Jacob Epstein admired Ben Enwonwu’s work, and Enwonwu must have seen Epstein’s famous collection of Fang art when he visited his house in the late 1940s. We know Enwonwu was very interested in classical African art and studied African sculpture in other collections including the National Museum in Lagos and the British Museum in London.

The sketch verso most likely depicts Kurmi Market in Kano, where Enwonwu visited in 1951.