Ethiopian Art: The Walters Art Museum [Hardcover]

Gary Vikan (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: August 4, 2006

The collection of Ethiopian art at The Walters Art Museum, Baltimore is one of the largest and finest outside of Ethiopia, both in terms of depth and range.   This book celebrates the art of the Christian kingdom of Ethiopia in metalwork, processional crosses, painted icons and illuminated manuscripts used in the services of the Church and reveals a vibrant artistic world of color, ritual and spirituality.

Editorial Reviews

From Library Journal

The volume contains fine reproductions from the largest collection of Ethiopian art outside that country, held by the Walters Art Gallery in Baltimore. A text on the life and religious practices in Ethiopia by distinguished Ethiopian studies scholar Getatchew Haile and another by Jacques Mercier (Ethiopian Magic Scrolls) on the country's art history provide an introduction to the people, culture, and art of Christian Ethiopia and set the stage for an understanding and appreciation of the Ethiopian influence in works evocative of the religious art and iconography of Byzantium and Russia. Insightful contributions by C. Griffith Mann (The Visitor's Voice) on the role of various religious symbols in Ethiopian culture pay tribute to the technical skills of the artisans and place the artifacts within the customs and practices of that country. Offering useful information and delightful images for the student and enthusiast of world civilizations and cultures, this book provides, through an Ethiopian experience, a uniquely global perspective on the art of the Orthodox Christian world. Recommended for academic libraries. Edward K. Owusu-Ansah, Coll. of Staten Island Lib., CUNY
Copyright 2002 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 144 pages
• Publisher: Third Millenium Pub Ltd (August 4, 2006)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1903942020
• ISBN-13: 978-1903942024
• Product Dimensions: 10.9 x 8.2 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.9 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #959,069 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #36 in Books > Travel > Africa > Ethiopia & Djibouti

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

27 of 27 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Ethiopian Christian craftsmanship, February 2, 2003

By 

Enrique Torres "Rico" (San Diegotitlan, Califas) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)   

This review is from: Ethiopian Art: The Walters Art Museum (Hardcover)

This is a fascinatinating book that is at once interesting as it is beautiful in imagery. The Walters Art Musuem boasts the largest Ethiopin art outside of Ethiopia alongside a permanent collection of Byzantium and Russian art. The Ethiopian collection in the City of Baltimore is only one part of a museum that builds it's strengths on the art of the eastern Orthodox world. The collective authors give a brief but satisfying history of Ethiopia and its significance in the ancient world along the Mediterrenean trade route. There is also an overview of daily life and religious practices, art history and the role of the Cross, illuminated manuscripts and painted icons that rivalved some of the best in the Orthodox world. The written word is essential to understanding the magnificent art that is displayed. If you are interested in icon art you will love this book with it's unique representations. I also found the older wood work to be exceptionally beautiful and intricate in craftsmanship. The results are some of the most beautiful processional crosses you will probabaly ever see. Later these crosses were made to be more permanent using bronze. Probably equally has impressive are the icon painting and hand made illuminated books that were used for ritualistic purposes in Ethiopion culture. The plates in the book come from the museum catalogue and date from the 4th to the 18th century. The religious nature of the works reflect a combination of African roots and Christian influence. Jesus, Mary and all the saints are painted with distinctively non- Western features. It is unfortunate that there is no cover art availbale on this page otherwise you would be able to see the painting of baby Jesus and the Archangels with small afros as he sits in the arms of Mary.Much of the art is uncredited and the artist is lost in antiquity and known only as an annonymous painter. The Christian kingdoms art of Ethiopia gets its deserved recognition alongside the art of Russia and Byzantium in this book. The book features some of the most colorful unique Christian art imagineable. There is also a good bibliography featuring a list of over fifty books for further scholarship. This is the first time this magnificent collection is available in publication and will surely satisfy those interested in icon painting and the art of the Orthodox world.