This new, richly illustrated book centres on how Ruth Baumgarte depicted humanity – from her early works created during the Second World War to the vibrantly colourful Africa pictures of her later years. Over four decades, Baumgarte (1923–2013) developed a distinct visual language born of existential urgency, ultimately culminating in her Africa cycle.
She took more than forty trips to Africa, where, with a keen eye for people and relationships, she engaged with post-colonial realities, social inequalities, and cultural identity. Across her oeuvre, Baumgarte's personal experience of the 20th century is distilled into a visual reflection that touches on threat, renewal, and humanity’s obligations to nature and society.
Presented as a dialogue with contemporary African artists, this volume explores Baumgarte’s biography, broader humanity, and the global perspective.
