Alain-Michel Boyer

Alain-Michel Boyer (1949 - 2025) was an anthropologist and art historian. He held an argrégation in literature and a BA from the Institut d’études politiques, as well as two doctorates (Sorbonne, Paris). Following his Fulbright Scholarship (United States), he taught at several American universities. After serving as a member of the Conseil national des universités in Paris, Alain-Michel Boyer then became emeritus professor of African Art. He lived for several years in Ivory Coast, particularly among the Baule and Yaure peoples. He also carried out several research missions in various regions of Africa. He carried out definitive research, particularly in the field of the arts of Ivory Coast. He authored around twenty books, including Comment regarder les arts d’Afrique (Hazan, 2017), Baule (5 Continents Editions, 2008) and Le corps africain (Hazan, 2006). He published the only books on the masks and figurines of two peoples hitherto neglected by art historians: Les Yohouré de Côte d'Ivoire. Faire danser les dieux (Ides et calendes, 2017) and Les figurines kulango. Les esprits mystérieux de la brousse de la collection Pierluigi Peroni (5 Continents Editions, 2017). He was an Officier de l’ordre national du Mérite de la République de Côte d'Ivoire.