Characterised by their radiant colour and confident brushstrokes, the African paintings of Ruth Baumgarte are a dynamic reflection of the German artist’s deep passion for the continent. After working as an illustrator Ruth Baumgarte found ultimate fulfillment as a painter when she started visiting Africa in the 1950s. She traveled to the African continent forty times over the course of her life. Her large-format oil paintings, often created from memory in her studio, are both a joyful expression of her love for the land and people, but also a way of preserving cultures. This book features both renowned and lesser-known works, including portraits, landscapes, and graphic works and all have her individual, rapid stroke style. Saturated with bright primary colours, these paintings leap off the page, and give off a nearly palpable heat. With rich illustrations, this book shows Ruth Baumgarte’s impression of Africa as a captivating and beautiful place. AUTHOR: Beate Reifenscheide is Director of the Ludwig Museum in Koblenz, Germany. SELLING POINTS: . Baumgarte’s paintings a bright and vibrant and easily enjoyed by a wide audience. . Her subject matter are portraits of African life and are extremely compelling. 115 colour illustrations