Agegnehu Engida
Encyclopedia
Agegnehu Engida was an Ethiopia
n modern art
ist who blended abstraction, expressionism, and surrealism, but maintained a style that was "distinctively Ethiopian."
As part of Emperor Haile Selassie education program, Agegnehu was granted a government scholarship for to study at the Ecole des Beaux-Arts
in Paris, France from 1926 to 1933. After his return from Europe, Agegnehu had many art exhibitions. He also worked on commissions for military uniform
s, birr currency
designs, church mural
s and portraits.
In 1941 Agegnehu became the assistant director of Ethiopia's new Department of Fine Arts in the Ministry of Education and Fine Arts.
He died of unknown causes in 1950 shortly after finishing the painting Twelve Donkeys.
Two of his portraits are in the National Museum of Ethiopia
, a self portrait and a portrait of Aster Mengesha.
Ethiopia
Ethiopia , officially known as the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia, is a country located in the Horn of Africa. It is the second-most populous nation in Africa, with over 82 million inhabitants, and the tenth-largest by area, occupying 1,100,000 km2...
n modern art
Modern art
Modern art includes artistic works produced during the period extending roughly from the 1860s to the 1970s, and denotes the style and philosophy of the art produced during that era. The term is usually associated with art in which the traditions of the past have been thrown aside in a spirit of...
ist who blended abstraction, expressionism, and surrealism, but maintained a style that was "distinctively Ethiopian."
As part of Emperor Haile Selassie education program, Agegnehu was granted a government scholarship for to study at the Ecole des Beaux-Arts
École des Beaux-Arts
École des Beaux-Arts refers to a number of influential art schools in France. The most famous is the École nationale supérieure des Beaux-Arts, now located on the left bank in Paris, across the Seine from the Louvre, in the 6th arrondissement. The school has a history spanning more than 350 years,...
in Paris, France from 1926 to 1933. After his return from Europe, Agegnehu had many art exhibitions. He also worked on commissions for military uniform
Military uniform
Military uniforms comprises standardised dress worn by members of the armed forces and paramilitaries of various nations. Military dress and military styles have gone through great changes over the centuries from colourful and elaborate to extremely utilitarian...
s, birr currency
Ethiopian birr
The birr is the unit of currency in Ethiopia. Before 1976, dollar was the official English translation of birr. Today, it is officially birr in English as well....
designs, church mural
Mural
A mural is any piece of artwork painted or applied directly on a wall, ceiling or other large permanent surface. A particularly distinguishing characteristic of mural painting is that the architectural elements of the given space are harmoniously incorporated into the picture.-History:Murals of...
s and portraits.
In 1941 Agegnehu became the assistant director of Ethiopia's new Department of Fine Arts in the Ministry of Education and Fine Arts.
He died of unknown causes in 1950 shortly after finishing the painting Twelve Donkeys.
Two of his portraits are in the National Museum of Ethiopia
National Museum of Ethiopia
The National Museum of Ethiopia is the primary museum in Ethiopia. It is located in the nation's capital, Addis Ababa, near the graduate school of Addis Ababa University....
, a self portrait and a portrait of Aster Mengesha.