Rois et reines d'Afrique : Formes et figures du pouvoir

Exhibition at the Louvre Abu Dhabi, 29 January - 25 May 2025

The African continent has a rich history that is deeply connected to the rest of the world. From Antiquity to the Middle Ages, Africa was the cradle of great civilisations such as Ancient Egypt, the kingdoms of Ghana, Mâli and Great Zimbabwe. Particularly during the period equivalent to the Middle Ages in Europe, Africa enjoyed a period of prosperity marked by the formation of powerful kingdoms that exerted a major influence on a global scale. The kingdoms of Ghana and Mali were renowned beyond their borders.

This exhibition catalogue brings together over 300 objects, mainly from the collections of the Musée du Quai Branly. It highlights the temporal powers embodied by kings, queens and chiefs, and those linked to the spiritual world, bearing witness to the artistic and visual power of Africa between the 11th and 21st centuries.