Veranda Post (Òpó Ògògá)
Olowe of Ise
1910-14
Medium
Wood and pigment
Dimensions
152.5 × 31.8 × 40.6 cm (60 × 12 1/2 × 16 in.)
Classification
sculpture
Department
Arts of Africa
Museum
Art Institute of Chicago
Accession Number
102611
Rights
Public Domain
About this artwork
One of four posts sculpted for the palace of the king (ogoga) of Ikere, this evocative image of the Yoruba concept of a divine ruler is a masterwork of Olowe of Ise. The renowned artist’s dynamic style can be distinguished by the interrelationships between figures, their exaggerated proportions, and the use of open space. The sculptor’s diminutive portrayal of the king suggests his dependence on others, and his crown has been emphasized to evoke the spiritual power residing within it. The toweri...