Marc Saint-Laurent

In 1971, Ben Enwonwu was appointed the first professor of Fine Art at the University of Ife, at a time when the violence that came with the Biafran war was still fresh in public consciousness, and academic institutions were responsible for lifting spirits amongst the youth to promote national reconciliation.Enwonwu’s paintings of princess Adetutu became a symbol of Nigerian reconciliation after the war, and when all three went missing over 40 years ago, it became a hot topic of speculation where there was a serious hunt for them.

One of the paintings from the series of three was discovered late last year, and the family who found it in their flat inherited it from their father. Giles Peppait, the director of modern art at Bonhams, revealed that he’s been sent on several wild goose chases trying to find the original Enwonwu piece, and described finding it as a “momentous event”.

Speaking to The Guardian about the missing Enwonwu piece, novelist Ben Okri said :

“It amounts to the most significant discovery in contemporary African art in over fifty years. It is the only authentic Tutu, the equivalent of some rare archaeological find.

It is a cause for celebration, a potentially transforming moment in the world of art.”

Ben Okri posing with the portrait : Tutu (Photo: CBC)

While it’s interesting that Bonhams are the ones holding this auction when there are African auction houses who can, this could bring about a wider re-evaluation of African art. The auction will be held on February 28, and the painting will go for between £200,000 – £300,000 (350 000 – 525 000 canadians dollars)., and while we think it’s worth more than that, we’re looking forward to seeing how much it will go for!