In 1959, Paul and Ruth Tishman bought two pieces of art from the Benin kingdom-an ivory figure and a copper alloy mask. Over the next 20 plus years, the Tishmans would build one of the great private collections of African art. His goal: to acquire works from all the major art traditions in the continent, a dream that would be almost impossible to achieve today.

In a sense, the Tishmans' purchases reflect the collecting practices of their time. They bought primarily from dealers and auctions in New York, Paris and London. The majority of the objects are from west and central Africa. Although masks and figures dominate, the collection underscores the Tishmans' interest in large-scale works, painted sculpture and certain regions and topics, such as works by known hands from the Yoruba peoples or the skin-covered masks from the Cross River region of Nigeria. Looking at the collection today, one can focus on questions of history, deliberate the definition of the ideal human form or covet items of power or status.

Since the mid-1960s, the collection has greatly influenced the study of African art. Through exhibitions and publications, it has helped define African art and set aesthetic standards of quality.

The Tishmans' desire to share the art with as many people as possible would lead to the sale of the collection to the Walt Disney Company in 1984. While the original plan of a permanent exhibition space at Epcot in Florida was never realized, the Walt Disney Company proved to be generous stewards, making the collection available for numerous exhibition loans and publications.

In 2005, Walt Disney World Co., a subsidiary of the Walt Disney Company, gave all 525 objects in the Walt Disney-Tishman African Art Collection to the National Museum of African Art, Smithsonian Institution. This exhibition of 88 objects and the accompanying publications are but a start in continuing the tradition, begun by Paul and Ruth Tishman and maintained by the Walt Disney Company, of sharing this great African art with the world.