Expert: J Heuman - 8/21/2004

Question
Hello there,

I have an assignment to do on whether or not Panofsky's inconological paradigm (3 levels of analysing art) would apply to African art - as it was originally intended for Renaissance art.

I am battling to find relevant information on this topic - agreeing that one can use Panofsky's method to analyse AFrican art. The article we were given to read is: "Western Art-Historical Methodology and African Art: Panofsky's Paradigm and Ivoirian Mma" by Robert. T. Soppelsa.

I have a source that should help me, but cannot find it anywhere: Grotanelli's "The Lugard Lecture of 1961".

I don't know if you can perhaps suggest any websites that I can try that might be of help...?
I have searched the web extensively, but have'nt beeen very successfull at all.

I do realise this is a rather unusual topic for an assignment, and would much appreciate any help you are able to offer.  

Kind regards,
Isolde

Answer
Hello Isolde,

I assume you are pursuing these studies at a university.  Hopefully the library can arrange an interlibrary loan.  So, the essay you seek is included in:

         African Images, Essays in African Iconology,
         eds. Daniel F. McCall and Edna G. Bay, Africana
         Publishing Co., New York, 1975, pp. 3-22.

As for whether Panofsky's iconological methodology can be applied to African art:  Any method can be applied to any art.  HOWEVER, it might be like putting a screw in the wall with a hammer -- wrong tool!  Panofsky's method is based on Western (specifically Jewish and German) thinking . . . which takes the intention to symbolize for granted.  (HINT: Perhaps refer to anthropologists' writings -- especially  Franz Boas -- about "cultural relativism.")

Best wishes, sincerely,
J Heuman