It has been six years since Hurst Gallery published Collecting African Art: 1890s to 1950s, focusing on the collection of Harry Levine and illuminated by a text from an inspired young Africanist, Christa Clarke. Hurst Gallery is pleased to present another exhibition and catalogue of re-discovered African art with a scholarly text by yet another inspired young Africanist, Nicole Hawkes.

African Art from Four Regions includes masks, sculpture, and ceremonial objects from both public and private collections. The most numerous are works from the collection of Dr. Mark D. Altschule (1928 - 1988). Dr. Altschule, an internist, medical researcher, medical historian, and clinical professor of medicine at Harvard Medical School, assembled his collection during the mid-twentieth century. An accomplished amateur wood sculptor in his own right, Altschule had great appreciation for the art of the African carver. Hurst Gallery acquired this collection last year after decades of inactive museum storage.

In addition, there are four objects collected in Liberia and Cote d’Ivoire during the 1930s and 40s by the medical missionary George Harley. Interesting provenance for other objects presented here include the Bronson Collection, Werner Fischer, Jacques Hautelet, and Jeanne Walschot. Still others, purchased by precedent owners from well-respected sources, are noted in the text.

Most of the remaining objects have been obtained from New England museums or estates that wish to remain anonymous. Each catalogue text contains as much information about the collection history of the object as Hurst Gallery is able to make public.

I am especially grateful to the author for scheduling her time to enable the completion of this project while ably fulfilling her duties as Gallery Manager.

-NORMAN HURST