Modernism sought to overthrow established conventions through a new canon of expression. André Warnod, the influential French commentator for the journal Comoedia and Le Figaro, proposed that l'art nègre might one day replace Greek art in the formation of young artists. Warnod further suggested that "for the generations that will come after ours, a work from the ancient Soudan will be considered an indisputable masterwork; somewhat as the Venus de Milo, the Victory of Samothrace or the poor Joconde [Mona Lisa] are for us." One of the three major African sculptural icons he cited as worthy candidates for consideration was this head from a Fang reliquary, then owned by the antiquarian art dealer Joseph Brummer. Brummer encouraged interest in African art not only as an essential source of modern art but as a major world tradition worthy of appreciation in its own right.