Birmingham Meeting House III 1941

Horace Pippin's "Birmingham Meeting House III" is a painting that lays it all bare, in a good way. There’s a directness to the way Pippin applies the paint, almost like he’s building with it. Look at how each stone in the building is carefully rendered, each one distinct, yet fitting into a larger whole. You can tell that he's not trying to trick you with illusions, but instead showing you how he sees and understands this place. I love the stark contrast between the dark, looming trees and the bright white windows and doors. It’s like the building is glowing, holding its own against the weight of the natural world. That little patch of blue sky peeking through the branches? It feels like a small, hopeful breath, like a memory. It reminds me a little of Milton Avery's simplified forms and bold color choices, but with a raw, personal edge that’s all Pippin’s own.