Object Description
Frederick Leslie Kenett (1924 -2012)
A Benin Bronze Head of an African Queen
Black & white gelatin silver print, circa 1962, mounted on card, framed
Stamped on reverse ‘F.L. Kenett, The Studio, 4 Eldon Road London W8’ with Negative No. ‘AFR 133’. 40.5 cm. wide x 50 cm. high (unframed), 57.5 x 67.25 cm. framed
“Unquestionably the greatest photographer of sculpting in the world who himself became a sculptor”. Tom Rosenthal, The Listener, 1960s
This rare studio-stamped print is a masterful example of Kenett’s sculptural photography.
Frederick Leslie Kenett was born in Berlin in 1924 to a German doctor. Kennett was forced to flee the country in 1939 and came to England, joining the US Intelligence Corps during the war, where he developed an interest in photography. After the War he studied photography at the Guildford School of Art.
Following his studies Kenett specialised in the photography sculpture and works of art using a skilful method of lighting and shooting on 5×4 film or glass plate. He was soon given important commissions for museums, publishers, governments and collections across the world.
In 1962 Kenett was commissioned by the Nigerian government to take photographs of one hundred African sculptures. The present stamped and numbered photograph by Kenett shows a famous Benin bronze head from the British Museum, London (Mus. no. Af1897,1011.1), which dates to the early 16th century and is a masterpiece of African art. The head represents Queen Mother Idia and was made to be placed on her altar following her death.