Skip to main content

The Ending of the War, Starting Home

1930-1933
Horace Pippin (American, 1888–1946)

Wearing brown uniforms and bearing bayonets, African American soldiers advance on gray-clad German troops, who appear to be startled, surrendering, hiding, and fleeing. French and German fighter planes skirmish in the distance. Bombs explode along the horizon. One of the Americans has fallen amid the chaos.

On the frame of this painting, Pippin affixed small carved versions of the tools of war—tanks, guns, hand grenades, gas masks, and other implements—alluding to some of the technological advances that made battle more brutal than ever before.


Object Details

We are always open to learning more about our collections and updating the website. Does this record contain inaccurate information or language that you feel we should improve or change? Contact us here.

Please note that this particular artwork might not be on view when you visit. Don’t worry—we have plenty of exhibitions for you to explore.