Art | Black History Month
Horace Pippin — A Wounded Soldier Who Found Healing Through Art
One of many Black soldiers during World War I who hoped defending the nation abroad would lead to better treatment at home.
In celebration of Black History Month — today’s Art Drop features The Park Bench by Horace Pippin. (Also known as Man on a Bench)
Born in West Chester, Pennsylvania on February 22, 1868, Pippin served in the 369th Infantry Regiment during World War I. His unit was assigned to the French Army because many white American soldiers refused to fight alongside Black servicemen.
Stationed on the front line, Pippin’s battalion was one of four African American regiments to see combat. Like the many, many millions wounded in action, he was shot in the shoulder during this “war to end all wars.”
Several years after Pippin returned home, he took up painting, a subject that had interested him in school, hoping it would help his physical and mental recovery. In order to paint, he used his left hand to guide his right hand, which held the paint brush. Eventually, painting strengthened his injured arm and helped him process the haunting memories of the war
