Tribal Man with Roar (Matabele)
Created in 1949 by Richard Olga, Tribal Man with Roar (Matabele) is a powerful oil painting on paper inspired by a traditional war dance. Sketched from life, the work captures a moment of raw energy and expression, depicting a Matabele tribesman mid-roar, embodying strength, movement, and cultural intensity.
The artist’s dynamic brushwork and earthy, expressive tones convey both the rhythm of the dance and the spirit of the subject. Painted in oil on paper, the artwork bears visible foxing consistent with its age, adding to its authenticity as a mid-20th-century original.
Measuring 28 × 37.5 cm, this evocative piece stands as a rare historical study of tribal life and ceremonial tradition, reflecting Richard Olga’s direct engagement with his subject matter and observational skill.
Details:
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Artist: Richard Olga
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Title: Tribal Man with Roar (Matabele)
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Year: 1949
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Medium: Oil on paper
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Subject: Matabele war dance study
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Size: 28 × 37.5 cm
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Condition: Foxing to paper, consistent with age
This work is well suited to collectors of vintage figurative art, African cultural studies, and historically significant original paintings.