book’s succinct captions and descriptions are generally limited to providing details of provenance, so the beautiful photographs of the objects are clearly its main benefi t. Those photos, the work of renowned professionals, capture not only the artworks’ aesthetic qualities but also convey their collector-owners’ perpetual quest for beauty and expression. 143 “Beauty of the World” is what this book’s title means in Swahili, and its subtitle, “Belgian Treasures,” is equally evocative. Its publication accompanied an exhibition produced by Didier Claes, which was displayed at Ancienne Nonciature from June 10–14, 2015, concurrent with the 25th annual Brussels Non-European Art Fair (BRUNEAF). The show honored the dedication of a number of Belgian art lovers, many of whom remain active. Made up of some 800 artworks, it revealed those collectors’ special predilection for African art, particularly for that of the former Belgian Congo. It also included a number of fi ne Oceanic and Pre-Columbian works. The UZURI wa DUNIA Belgian Treasures Collective work Published in English by BRUNEAF a.s.b.l. 24 x 29 cm, hardcover, 216 pages, more than 140 illustrations AUTHENTICALLY AFRICAN Focused largely on the collection history of the Musée Royal de l’Afrique Centrale (MRAC) in Tervuren and the Institut des Musées Nationaux du Congo (IMNC) in Kinshasa, this book is an in-depth study of museum politics starting in the colonial period and continuing through to the transformation of a number of institutions in the twenty-fi rst century. Much of the narrative is based on interviews and the study of Flemish-language sources, and it examines themes such as the possession, defi nition, and display of art in the post-colonial area, as well as the debates between Belgian and Congolese museum professionals and increasing awareness of cultural authenticity and political legitimacy. It also examines how the IMNC’s traveling exhibitions helped generate international interest and encouraged the market for traditional arts. Historical photographs of objects and displays illustrate this book, making it especially stimulating. By Sarah Van Beurden Published in English by Ohio University Press 15 x 23 cm, hardcover, 392 pages, illustrated in black and white
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