Primitive Art

Book Details:

• ISBN: 9788130717135
• Author: F. Baas
• Pages: 460 pp
• Year of Publishing: 2020
• Binding: Hardback
• Publisher: Cosmo Publications

Description:
A pioneering work in modern anthropology, this study by Franz Boas introduces the concept of cultural relativism, arguing that all human groups have evolved equally but in distinct ways influenced by historical conditions rather than genetic factors. Published in 1927, this influential study delves into the fundamental traits of primitive art, exploring the symbolism and style present in objects, literature, music, and dance.

Boas draws on his extensive fieldwork among the Indigenous peoples of the American Northwest Coast, incorporating artifacts and customs from across the Americas, Africa, and the South Pacific. The book features over 323 photographs, drawings, and diagrams, including images of totem poles, baskets, masks, and other decorated items, providing a rich visual representation of the study's core themes.

This work remains a crucial text for understanding the deep cultural and artistic traditions of primitive societies and the concept of cultural relativism.