What conventions did Benin artists use in their brass plaques to make the oba stand out?

Question

Responses

They placed the oba in the center of the plaque and made him larger than the other figures.

They placed the oba in the center of the plaque and made him larger than the other figures.

They sculpted multiple obas in a variety of sizes, to symbolize his strength and influence.

They sculpted multiple obas in a variety of sizes, to symbolize his strength and influence.

They inscribed the oba’s teachings in low relief in the background of the plaque.

They inscribed the oba’s teachings in low relief in the background of the plaque.

They carved the oba as a separate sculpture and attached him to the plaque when it was complete.

Answer 1

To make the oba stand out in their brass plaques, Benin artists primarily used the following conventions:

1. Placement and Size: They placed the oba in the center of the plaque and made him larger than the other figures. This central position and larger scale emphasized his importance and authority.

2. Symbolism of Strength and Influence: Although the statement about sculpting multiple obas in varying sizes doesn't apply directly to creating a single plaque's representation, in some contexts, different sizes could symbolize strength and influence. However, the primary convention for individual plaques focused on prominently featuring a singular, larger figure of the oba.

3. No Inscription or Separate Sculpture: The other options such as inscribing the oba’s teachings in low relief or carving him as a separate sculpture were not typical conventions for emphasizing the oba in these plaques.

In summary, the predominant technique was to highlight the oba through central placement and increased scale compared to other figures.