Art History Timeline / Nok, Ife and Benin Art
Nok, Ife and Benin Art for Kids: Art History, Artists and an Easy Art Activity
Africa has many cultures with their own art. In West Africa, the Nok people made clay heads over 2,000 years ago. Later, artists in Ife and Benin cast heads and plaques in brass that are still admired around the world.
For teachers
Africa's art history is long and varied; this entry looks at one region, present-day Nigeria. Nok terracottas date back more than 2,000 years, Ife produced naturalistic copper-alloy and terracotta heads, and the Kingdom of Benin's royal guilds cast brass plaques and heads for the palace. Many Benin works were taken during the British attack of 1897, and their return is an ongoing conversation; African art traditions continue today.
What to look for
Pull up an artwork from this time and go on a looking hunt. Here is what to spot.
- Carved and cast heads with calm faces
- Lines and patterns on faces and clothing
- Brass, ivory, wood and clay
- Important people shown bigger in group scenes
Meet the artists
Nok sculptors
more than 2,000 years ago
They made clay heads with big eyes and detailed hairstyles.
Igun Eronmwon (Benin brass casters' guild)
1400s to today
This family guild of brass casters made works for the Oba (king) and still works in Benin City.
Olowe of Ise
about 1873 to 1938
He was a Yoruba sculptor who carved palace doors and posts for kings.
Artworks to look at closely
Click any artwork to zoom in on The Met website. Big screen, slow looking, lots of talking.
Pendant mask of Ìyọ́bà IdiàÌgbèsànmwà (ivory- and wood- carving guild) artists, 16th centuryThe Metropolitan Museum of Art, Open AccessSee it at The Met
Ùhúnmwèlaò (head of an ọ́bà)Ìgùn Ẹ́rọ̀nwwọ̀n (brass-casting guild) artists, Early 15th to mid-16th centuryThe Metropolitan Museum of Art, Open AccessSee it at The Met
Court official from a commemorative altarÌgùn Ẹ́rọ̀nwwọ̀n (brass-casting guild) artists, 16th to 17th centuryThe Metropolitan Museum of Art, Open AccessSee it at The MetTry it
An easy art activity you can do with paper and whatever drawing tools you have.
Make a relief plaque. Draw a person or animal on a piece of cardboard, then glue string along the lines. Cover it with foil, rub gently so the lines pop up, and add tiny dot and line patterns with a pencil tip.
Ms Artastic lessons
There is no Ms Artastic lesson for this part of the timeline yet. In the meantime, the Free Art Lesson Library has lessons you can teach this week.
Open the Free Art Lesson LibraryQuestions teachers and parents ask
What is Nok, Ife and Benin art?
Africa has many cultures with their own art. In West Africa, the Nok people made clay heads over 2,000 years ago. Later, artists in Ife and Benin cast heads and plaques in brass that are still admired around the world.
What time period is Nok, Ife and Benin art from?
Time period: More than 2,000 years ago to the 1800s. Where: West Africa (present-day Nigeria) and across Africa.
Who are some famous artists of Nok, Ife and Benin art?
Nok sculptors (more than 2,000 years ago), Igun Eronmwon (Benin brass casters' guild) (1400s to today) and Olowe of Ise (about 1873 to 1938).
What is an easy art project for kids about Nok, Ife and Benin art?
Make a relief plaque. Draw a person or animal on a piece of cardboard, then glue string along the lines. Cover it with foil, rub gently so the lines pop up, and add tiny dot and line patterns with a pencil tip.
The Artastic Collective art curriculum
Full art lessons, videos and units for the whole year, ready when you are. Monthly, yearly and VIP plans.
More famous-artist video lessons
Press play and paint along with me. Each video lesson comes with a printable lesson plan and a QR code, so it is ready for the classroom or the kitchen table.
