Horace Pippin
Horace Pippin began his journey as an artist after serving in World War I with the famous African American regiment known as the Harlem Hellfighters. Wounded by a sniper, Pippin lost full use of his right arm and was honorably discharged from the military. Upon returning to his hometown of West Chester, Pennsylvania, he taught himself to paint, using his left arm to support his injured one. By the late 1930s, Pippin's work had garnered the attention of prominent figures such as artist N. C. Wyeth, critic Christian Brinton, and collector Albert Barnes.
This painting is part of a series of semi-autobiographical domestic interiors that Pippin created between 1941 and his death in 1946.These scenes typically depict African American families engaged in various activities within a single multipurpose room. Characterized by a quiet, peaceful atmosphere, the paintings often include recurring household items like rag rugs, quilts, stoves, and alarm clocks.
What sets School Studies apart and gives the title added resonance is the unique arrangement of the figures. Unlike the interaction often seen in Pippin’s domestic interiors, the three individuals in this painting turn their backs to one another, absorbed in their own private worlds, creating an atmosphere of introspection and solitude within the shared space.
We hope you enjoyed our celebrations of Black History Month. Tomorrow, the start of March means ... a special focus on women artists! See you tomorrow!
P.S. Here is the story of how Horace Pippin became famous and how art saved his life!