Male Figure (Blolo Bian)

Arts of Africa

Early/mid–20th century

Baule
Côte d’Ivoire
Coastal West Africa

A Baule person who experiences physical or emotional distress often seeks the advice of a diviner who might determine that a jealous partner in the otherworld is the cause of the problem. To address the situation, a male or female figure of the type shown here will be commissioned to serve as the focal point for offerings to the spirit partner. The anatomy and decorations of this male example epitomize the Baule ideal of human beauty.

Status: Currently Off View
Department: Arts of Africa

Culture: Baule
Title: Male Figure (Blolo Bian)
Place: Côte d'Ivoire (Object made in)
Date Dates are not always precisely known, but the Art Institute strives to present this information as consistently and legibly as possible. Dates may be represented as a range that spans decades, centuries, dynasties, or periods and may include qualifiers such as c. (circa) or BCE.: 1900–1950
Medium: Wood, metal, and sacrificial materials
Dimensions: 57.8 × 11.4 × 10.2 cm (22 3/4 × 4 × 4 1/2 in.)
Credit Line: Edward E. Ayer Endowment in memory of Charles L. Hutchinson
Reference Number: 1960.802

Art Institute of Chicago, African Art: Collection of Raymond Wielgus, exh. cat. (Art Institute of Chicago, 1957), n. pag., cat. 23 (ill.).
Allan Frumkin, African Sculpture: Collection of Mr. and Mrs. Raymond Wielgus, exh. cat, (Milwaukee, WI.: Layton School of Art, 1957), cat. 26 (ill.).
Allen Wardwell, Primitive Art in the Collections of the Art Institute of Chicago (Art Institute of Chicago, 1965), fig. 71 (ill.).
Portland Museum of Art, Tribal Art of West Africa, exh. cat. (Portland Museum of Art, 1971), pl. 31.

Milwaukee, Wis., Layton School of Art, African Sculpture: Collection of Mr. and Mrs. Raymond Wielgus, Jan. 3-Feb. 9, 1957, cat. 26.
Art Institute of Chicago, African Art: Collection of Raymond Wielgus, April 13–June 16, 1957, cat. 23.
Detroit Institute of Art, September 15–November 4, 1969 (according to file).
Portland, Maine, Portland Museum of Art, Tribal Art of West Africa, Sep. 16–Oct. 31, 1971, cat. 31.

Andre Derain, before 1955 [listed as ex-collection Derian in African Sculpture, 1957, no. 23; Primitive Art in the Collections, 1965, no. 71; Affinities of Form 1996, p. 215]. Allan Frumkin, Allan Frumkin Gallery, Chicago, Ill., before 1955 [this and the following information according to Affinities of Form 1996, p. 215]; sold to Raymond Wielgus (died 2010) and Laura Wielgus (died 2003), Chicago, Ill., from 1955; given to the Art Institute of Chicago, 1960.

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Date Dates are not always precisely known, but the Art Institute strives to present this information as consistently and legibly as possible. Dates may be represented as a range that spans decades, centuries, dynasties, or periods and may include qualifiers such as c. (circa) or BCE.

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