Horace Pippin (1888–1946), celebrated African American painter and veteran of the First World War, left behind more than his extraordinary canvases. During his service with the 369th Infantry Regiment, he carried a small journal in which he recorded his experiences at the front. This rare document offers an unfiltered account of trench life, military movements, and the personal reflections of a soldier navigating the realities of modern warfare.

Presented here for careful study and reflection, Pippin’s journal provides a unique primary source for understanding both the Great War and the formative experiences of one of America’s most significant artists. We invite you to explore these pages, which illuminate the intersection of art, history, and lived experience.