Sylvestre Kaballa achieved international acclaim during the 1950s. This untitled painting is c. 1950. Photos courtesy Cartier Foundation.

Jean-Bosco Kamba was known for rich landscapes and fishing scenes. This untitled painting is from 1954.

BY LESLIE JORDAN CLARY

The largest retrospective to date of contemporary art from the Democratic Republic of the Congo is currently on display at the Foundation Cartier in Paris. “Beauté Congo” includes 350 works by 41 artists spanning the years 1926 through 2015. The vast majority of these pieces have never been seen in Western museums. While the primary medium is painting, comic books, sculpture, photography and music are also included. The eclectic selection features early works by internationally acclaimed painter Sylvestre Kaballa and vibrant landscapes by Jean-Bosco Kamba. More contemporary works include a portrait of President Obama, Patrice Lumumba, and Nelson Mandala by Chèri Samba; moving urban photographs by Kiripi Katembo; and avant-garde collages by Steve Bandoma. The exhibition runs through November.

—August 2015