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AfricaArt & Photograpy

Legend of the Crown: The Art of African Kings and Queens

Twenty-three artists were commissioned by Anheuser-Busch over a 25-year span, to create works for the Legend of the Crown collection. Each painting depicts an African leader and celebrates his or her impact on history.

Here are the 30 paintings that were created for the collection.


Hatshepsut The Ablest Queen of Far Antiquity (1503-1482 BC) by Dean Mitchell

For 33 years Hatshepsut was the ablest queen as she withstood male rivals after her father appointed her heiress to the throne. She was the leader of the world’s leading nation of the time. To increase her popularity she had spectacular temples and pyramids erected, of which many still stand today.

Hatshepsut by Dean Mitchell

Tiye The Nubian Queen of Egypt (circa 1415-1340 BC) by Leonard Jenkins

Tiye The Nubian Queen of Egypt changed the course of history. Amenhotep III, the young Egyptian ruler was so taken by her beauty and intellect he defied his nation’s priests and customs by proclaiming her the commoner his Great Royal spouse. He included her in political and military decisions and treated her as his equal.

Tiye by Leonard Jenkins

Akhenaton Pharaoh of Egypt (1375-1358 BC) by Barbara Higgins Bond

He was the first ruler in recorded history to believe in the concept of the One God. Akhenaton built the finest city in the desert where he lived with his wife, Queen Nefertiti. They changed Egyptian culture so radically that their impact was felt for centuries.

Akhenaton by Barbara Higgins Bond

Makeda Queen of Sheba (960 BC) by Debra Edgerton

Makeda was married to King Solomon of Israel and was known for giving him great gifts from her famed journey to visit the Judean monarch. She also gave him a son, Menelek who looked so much like his grandfather that Solomon rechristened him and renamed him David after his father King David.

Makeda Queen of Sheba Debra Edgerton

Thutmose III Pharaoh of Egypt (753-712 BC) by Antonio Wade

Thutmose was known for giving those he conquered the choice to join his kingdom. For the first time in history the entire Nile Valley, from the Mediterranean to the borders of modern Ethiopia, was united under one monarch. By 743 BC the majority of the Egyptians looked upon Thutmose as the ruler of Egypt and Kush.

Thutmose III by Antonio Wade

Taharqa King of Nubia (710-664 BC) by John Thomas Biggers

During his 25-year reign, Taharqa controlled the largest empire in ancient Africa. The numbers and majesty of his building projects were legendary with the greatest being the temple at Gebel Barkal in the Sudan.

Taharqa King of Nubia by John Thomas Biggers

Hannibal Ruler of Carthage (247-183 BC) by Charles Lilly

Regarded as one of the greatest generals of all time, Hannibal and his army conquered major portions of Spain and Italy, while coming close to defeating the Roman Empire. For more than 2000 years Hannibal has been recognized for destroying a much larger Roman force while seemingly being trapped.

Hannibal Ruler of Carthage by Charles Lilly

Nefertari Nubian Queen of Egypt (192-1225 BC) by Steve Clay

Nefertari is heralded as the queen who wed for peace. While her marriage to King Rameses II of Egypt began as a political move to share powers, it grew into one of the greatest royal love affairs in history and ended the 100-year war between Nubia and Egypt.

Nefertari Nubian Queen of Egypt by Steve Clay

Cleopatra VII Queen of Egypt (69-30 BC) by Ann Marshall

The most famous of seven matriarchs to bear this name, Cleopatra rose to the throne at seventeen. In a quest to elevate Egypt to world supremacy, she enlisted two Roman leaders—Julius Caesar and Mark Antony. Neither fulfilled her dreams before their own deaths prompting Cleopatra took her own life.

Cleopatra VII Queen of Egypt by Ann Marshall

Tenkamenin King of Ghana (1037-1075 AD) by Alexander Bostic

Through careful management of gold trade across the Sahara, Tenkamenin’s empire flourished economically yet his greatest strength was in government. He listened to his people and provided justice for all of them. His principles of democratic monarchy and religious tolerance make him one of the great models of African rule.

Tenkamenin King of Ghana (1037-1075 AD) by Alexander Bostic

Mansa Kankan Musa King of Mali (1306-1337) by Barbara Higgins Bond

Mansa Musa distinguished himself as a man who did everything on a grand scale. He was a scholar and imported noteworthy artists to heighten the cultural awareness of his people. After leading a successful pilgrimage across the Sahara he won international prestige for Mali as one of the world’s largest and wealthiest empires.

Mansa Kankan Musa King of Mali by Barbara Higgins Bond

Sunni Ali Beer King of Songhay (circa 1442-1492) by Leo Dillon

Sunni Ali Beer built the largest most powerful empire in West Africa during his 28-year reign. With a remarkable army,he won many battles, conquered many lands, seized trade routes and took villages to build the Songhay empire into a major center of commerce, culture and Moslem scholarship.

Sunni Ali Beer by Leo Dillon

Alfonso I King of the Kongo (circa 1486-1543) by Carl Owens (1929-2002)

Afonso I was a visionary who saw his country as a unified Christian nation equipped with advanced knowledge and technology. He encouraged Christianity, made it possible to practice new skills in masonry, carpentry and agriculture. He established a modern school system and was the first ruler to resist slave trade.

Afonso I King of the Kongo by Carl Owens

Askia Muhammaed Toure King of Songhay (1493-1529) by Leo Dillon

A devout Muslim, Askia “The Great” ruled and administered Songhay strictly according to Islamic law. He united the entire central region of the Western Soudan, and established a governmental machine that is still revered today for its detail and efficiency.

Askia Muhammaed Toure King of Songhay  by Leo Dillon

Idris Alooma Sultan of Bornu (1580-1617) by Charles Lilly (1949-)

Idris Alooma was a devout Muslim. He replaced traditional law with Muslim law, and made a pilgrimage to Mecca. The trip provided religious and military significance, for he returned with Turkish firearms. After building a strong army Idris Alooma conquered the Bulala, establishing a dominion and peace that lasted fifty years.

Idris Alooma Sultan of Bornu by Charles Lilly

Nzingha—Amazon Queen of Matambo (1582-1663) by Dorothy Carter

Nzingha was an astute diplomat and excellent military leader. After settling disputes and waging long wars, Nzingha allied her nation with the Dutch, marking the first African-European alliance against a European oppressor.

Nzingha—Amazon Queen of Matambo by Dorothy Carter

Queen Amina of Zaria (1588-1589) by Floyd Cooper

A brilliant military strategist she fought many wars and won them all. Amina is credited with building the famous Zaria wall. She is remembered today as “Amina, Yar Bakwa ta san rana,” meaning “Amina, daughter of Nikatau, a woman as capable as a man.”

Queen Amina of Zaria by Floyd Cooper

Shamba Bolongongo African King of Peace (1600-1620) by Roy LaGrone

Hailed as one of the greatest monarchs of the Congo, King Shamba had no greater desire than to preserve peace. Shamba was also known for promoting arts and crafts, and for designing a complex and extremely democratic form of government, which represented all Bushongo people.
Shamba Bolongongo African King of Peace by Roy LaGrone

Osei Tutu King of Asante (circa 1650-1717) by Alfred Smith

Osei Tutu was the founder and first ruler of the Asante nation, a great West African kingdom now known as Ghana. He tripled the geographic size of Asante and the kingdom was a significant power that endured for two centuries.
Osei Tutu King of Asante by Alfred Smith

Nandi Queen of Zululand (1778-1826 AD) by HM Rahsaan Fort II

Married to the King of Zululand, Nandi gave him a son, Shaka but was banished because the king’s other wives were jealous. Nandi made many sacrifices for her son and raised Shaka as royalty. He later became the greatest of all Zulu kings. Today Zulu people use her name to refer to a woman of high esteem.
Nandi Queen of Zululand by HM Rahsaan Fort II

Moshoeshoe King of Batsutoland (circa 1786-1870) by Jerry Pinkney

Moshoeshoe ruled the country he founded for half a century. He was a wise and just king brilliant in diplomacy and battle. He united many diverse groups into a stable society with law and order. He knew that peace made prosperity possible and often avoided conflict through skillful negotiations.

Moshoeshoe King of Batsutoland by Jerry Pinkney

Shaka-King of the Zulus (1787-1828) by Paul Collins

A strong leader and military innovator, Shaka is noted for revolutionizing 19th century Bantu warfare. Over the years Shaka’s troops earned such a reputation that many enemies would flee at the sight of them. The Shaka’s nation now encompasses the present day Kwazwu-Natal, South Africa.

Shaka-King of the Zulus by Paul Collins

Khama III The Good King of Bechuanaland (1819-1923) by Carl Owens

Khama was highly regarded as a peace-loving ruler intent on technological advancements including building schools, scientific cattle-feeding and the introduction of a mounted police force, which practically eliminated crime. England honored him with approval to remain free from Bechuanaland.

Khama III by Carl Owens

Ja Ja King of the Opobo (1821-1891) by Jonathan Knight

After escaping slavery Ja Ja prospered as an independent trader. He became a ruler of his people and eventually king of his own territory, Opobo. Ja Ja fiercely resisted outside influence which led to his exile at age 70 to the West Indies by the British. He never saw his kingdom again.

Ja Ja King of the Opobo by Jonathan Knight

Samory Toure The Black Napoleon of the Sudan (1830-1900) by Ezra Tucker

When Samory Toure’s native Bissandugu was attacked and his mother taken captive, he was allowed to take her place. He then escaped and joined the army of King Bitike Souane of Torona. He was soon made king and defied French expansionism in Africa, earning the name “The Black Napoleon of the Sudan.”

Samory Toure by Ezra Tucker

Mwana Ngana Ndumba Tembo—Ruler of the Angolan Tchokwe (1840-1880 circa) by Kenneth Calvert

Ndumbo Tembo maintained the Tchokwe sovereignty and protected its resources by securing an autonomous territory that severely restricted European access. Ndumba Tembo’s work allowed the Tchokwe to retain their independence.

Mwana Ngana Ndumba Tembo by Kenneth Calvert

Benhanzin Hossu Bowelle—The King Shark (1841-1906) by Thomas Blackshear II

Benhanzin was the most powerful ruler in West Africa at the end of the 19th century. To defend his nation’s sovereignty, he maintained a physically fit army. He was a lover of the humanities and is credited with the creation of some of the finest songs and poetry of Dahomey.

Benhanzin Hossu Bowelle by Thomas Blackshear II

Menelek II King of Kings of Abyssinia (1844-1913) by Dow Miller

Menelek joined together several independent kingdoms that were often at odds with each other into one strong stable empire known as the United States of Abyssinia (Ethiopia). A stunning victory over Italy in the Battle of Adwa in defense of his own country placed him among the great world leaders in history.

Menelek II by Dow Miller

Nehanda of Zimbabwe (1862-1898) by Lydia Thompson

Nehanda was one of Zimbabwe’s youngest and most influential religious leaders. She declared war when the English invaded their country. She was captured and executed for ordering the killing of a cruel Native Commander. She remains the single most important person in the modern history of Zimbabwe.

Nehanda

Yaa Asantewa Queen of Ghana (1863-1923) by Barbara Higgins Bond

Queen Mother Yaa Asantewa led her nation in the last Ashanti war against the British. Her name will always be remembered because of her agitation, the return of Prempeh was converted into stirring demands for independence.

Yaa-Asantewaa1

Source:
http://anheuser-busch.com/index.php/our-responsibility/community-our-neighborhoods/education/legends-of-the-crown-image-gallery/

 
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8 comments

Alfred Sellers February 10, 2016 at 12:07

I find the artwork very uplifting and covers a wide span of a culture that still exists but is dismiss.

Reply
Rebecca Tallman August 28, 2016 at 20:36

Thank you for sharing these exquisite paintings. I like having a face to go with the names of people in history. More importantly, to me, was learning about all of these powerful leaders that were NEVER IN OUR HISTORY BOOKS. Especially interesting is the number of womyn included. Would the United States be so reluctant to elect a woman as our president, if these womyn had been included in our history lessons? Would we have elected a Black man sooner if we had been taught about the many Black Warrior/Kings that have ruled in the world for centuries?

Reply
Always Paid February 24, 2017 at 20:16

Who owns the copy rights to these pictures?

Reply
Meserette Kentake February 25, 2017 at 13:07

No doubt the artists featured; although the paintings were commissioned by Anheuser-Busch. Visit http://anheuser-busch.com/index.php/our-responsibility/community-our-neighborhoods/education/legends-of-the-crown-image-gallery/, if you require further information.

Reply
Khairi Khan Bey March 10, 2017 at 08:48

Peace ! Yes, I’ve seen many of these classic photos/pictures on the wall, in one of the buildings of Hampton University’s campus, as well as the Moton, in Newport News, VA. As a proud Moorish American, representing the Moorish Science Temple of America, I have a great love & respect for African history, culture, & heritage. How can I obtain these beautiful photos/posters, for my collection? Thank you; Love, Truth, Peace, Freedom, & Justice !

Reply
Sundi October 8, 2018 at 17:48

@Khairi – your best bet is Ebay, where I recently acquired an almost complete copy. I purchased a 26-piece set from someone that has barely touched them since their original release. I used to have some when I was younger and decided to look for them when I came across one of them recently and lucked up when I searched on Ebay.

Reply
Melkez February 9, 2018 at 21:49

Thank you, I love this I will research each and every person highlighted here..

Reply
Adam Booker February 4, 2021 at 22:44

I’m learning so much more about my African heritage ; a more clear purpose of my identity of self in regards of who I am as a person of color in the America’s !!!

Reply

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