Ruth Leon recommends… Exhibition Tour—Africa & Byzantium Ruth Leon recommendsnorman lebrecht December 30, 2023Exhibition Tour—Africa & ByzantiumArt history has long emphasized the glories of the Byzantine Empire (circa 330–1453), but less known are the profound artistic contributions of North Africa, Egypt, Nubia, Ethiopia, and other powerful African kingdoms whose pivotal interactions with Byzantium had a lasting impact on the Mediterranean world. Bringing together a range of masterworks—from mosaic, sculpture, pottery, and metalwork to luxury objects, paintings, and religious manuscripts—this exhibition recounts Africa’s central role in international networks of trade and cultural exchange. With artworks rarely or never before seen in public, Africa & Byzantium sheds new light on the staggering artistic achievements of medieval Africa. Our guide to this virtual tour of the exhibition about Africa & Byzantium is its curator, Dr Andrea Myers Achi. This is a wonderful exhibition and this virtual tour is essential viewing as a precursor for anyone who is going to see it in person at the Met.

Source: The North Africa Journal December 30, 2023 19:45 UTC