Figure of a Mother and Child
- Artist Culture
- Yoruba artist
- Date
- mid-20th century
- Material
- Wood, indigo
- associated with
- Western Africa and the Guinea Coast, Nigeria, Africa
- Classification
- Sculpture
- Current Location
- On View, Gallery 117
- Dimensions
- 16 1/8 in. x 6 7/8 in. x 7 in. (41 x 17.5 x 17.8 cm)
- Credit Line
- Friends Endowment Fund
- Rights
- Contact Us
- Object Number
- 68:1989
NOTES
A quintessential representation of maternity, this figure with her elegantly plaited hairstyle is poised and grounded while feeding her child. The composition of cascading triangular forms along the front and profile emphasize the sculpture’s dedication to Shango, the Yoruba god of thunder and lightning. Chevrons, zigzags, and the double-celt form of the figure’s seat are additional emblems of the god.
The sculpture was likely placed on an altar in either appeal or gratitude to Shango for a child. A deified historical king from roughly the 14th century, Shango is credited as the giver of children and patron of twins. A devotee repeatedly applied indigo to the figure’s head as an offering to cool Shango’s fiery personality. Blue is a color the Yoruba associate with coolness, calmness, and self-control
The sculpture was likely placed on an altar in either appeal or gratitude to Shango for a child. A deified historical king from roughly the 14th century, Shango is credited as the giver of children and patron of twins. A devotee repeatedly applied indigo to the figure’s head as an offering to cool Shango’s fiery personality. Blue is a color the Yoruba associate with coolness, calmness, and self-control
Provenance
Merton D. Simpson, New York, NY, USA
Donald M. Suggs, St. Louis, MO
Alan Lieberman, St. Louis, MO
- 1989
Alexander Gallery, Inc., St. Louis, MO
1989 -
Saint Louis Art Museum, purchased from Alexander Gallery, Inc. [1]
Notes:
The main source for this provenance is a letter attached to the invoice from Alexander Gallery, dated April 24, 1989 [SLAM document files].
[1] An invoice dated April 24, 1989 from Alexander Gallery, Inc. to the Saint Louis Art Museum documents the purchase of this object, listed as "9667 Yoroba Maternity Figure, Nigeria, Wood, Dark Brown-Indigo Patina" [SLAM document files]. Minutes of the Collections Committee of the Board of Trustees, Saint Louis Art Museum, April 25, 1989.
Donald M. Suggs, St. Louis, MO
Alan Lieberman, St. Louis, MO
- 1989
Alexander Gallery, Inc., St. Louis, MO
1989 -
Saint Louis Art Museum, purchased from Alexander Gallery, Inc. [1]
Notes:
The main source for this provenance is a letter attached to the invoice from Alexander Gallery, dated April 24, 1989 [SLAM document files].
[1] An invoice dated April 24, 1989 from Alexander Gallery, Inc. to the Saint Louis Art Museum documents the purchase of this object, listed as "9667 Yoroba Maternity Figure, Nigeria, Wood, Dark Brown-Indigo Patina" [SLAM document files]. Minutes of the Collections Committee of the Board of Trustees, Saint Louis Art Museum, April 25, 1989.