
Ben Enwonwu: Nigerian Art Pioneer Behind the “African Mona Lisa”
Renowned Nigerian Igbo artist Ben Enwonwu (1917–1994) pioneered modern African art by blending indigenous traditions with Western techniques. From sculpting Queen Elizabeth II to painting the famed “Tutu” that broke auction records, Enwonwu’s legacy endures in today’s African art market and contemporary art scene.