La escultura negra y otros escritos

For the first time, Carl Einstein's three most significant texts on African art are compiled in this critical edition. "Negro Sculpture," published in 1915, is the pioneering theoretical work that elevates African art to the same status as other modern art movements. The 1920 essay "Afrikanische Plastik" presents the author's early reflections on the subject. Lastly, "À propos de l'Exposition de la Galerie Pigalle," originally in French, serves as a comprehensive survey of Einstein's ethnological insights. This edition, curated by Liliane Meffre, a noted researcher and translator of Einstein's work, brings together these key texts. "Negro Sculpture" is recognized as a dense and innovative essay that opens unexplored avenues, remaining a masterpiece of the 20th century and a manifesto for modern art, particularly cubism. Complementing this text is a scholarly investigation by Ezio Bassani and Jean-Louis Paudrat on the iconography of the original edition. An excerpt from "Afrikanische Plastik" summarizes Einstein's thoughts on African art, while "À propos de l'Exposition de la Galerie Pigalle," published in 1930, showcases the author's extensive ethnological knowledge.