Ethiopia
The Walters' collection of Ethiopian icons, manuscripts, and processional crosses is one of the largest collections outside of Ethiopia. Historically, Ethiopia was a Christian kingdom with strong ties in both trade and religion to the cultures located around the Mediterranean. Ethiopia's Christian tradition dates back to the 4th century, when the ruler of the Aksumite kingdom converted to Christianity; by the 15th century, this African nation had developed a tradition of icon painting that rivaled that of the Orthodox empires.
The Walters' collection of Ethiopian icons, manuscripts, and processional crosses is one of the largest collections outside of Ethiopia. Historically, Ethiopia was a Christian kingdom with strong ties in both trade and religion to the cultures located around the Mediterranean. Ethiopia's Christian tradition dates back to the 4th century, when the ruler of the Aksumite kingdom converted to Christianity; by the 15th century, this African nation had developed a tradition of icon painting that rivaled that of the Orthodox empires.
The book, Ethiopia at the Crossroads provides an accessible and wide-ranging overview of the history and culture of a storied region that remains relatively unknown to Western audiences. The book was published accompanying the Ethiopia at the Crossroads exhibition.