Family Supper 1946

Horace Pippin made this tempera on canvas painting called ‘Family Supper’. The painting has been built up with many horizontal brushstrokes. They construct the log cabin in which the family sit. I love how the simple palette of blacks, creams, and greys brings a certain quietness to the scene, a stillness. I imagine Pippin carefully layering each horizontal line, one by one, thinking about how each mark contributes to the overall texture and depth of the image. The painting is so personal and intimate. You can tell that it reflects Pippin's own experiences and memories. The father standing behind the table, has this expression of both love and concern. His posture is so protective and caring as he watches over his family. We can all connect to that feeling of family and home. I think this painting invites us into a shared space of reflection. He invites us to consider our connections to our families, our past and our communities.