Peaceable Kingdom 1848

Edward Hicks, an American folk painter and Quaker minister, created several versions of this image, "Peaceable Kingdom," during the first half of the 19th century. The painting draws its central theme from the Bible, specifically the Book of Isaiah, depicting a world where animals of prey and their victims coexist peacefully, evoking a sense of harmony and reconciliation. The figures are arranged in a deliberate composition, creating a visual allegory of social harmony, reflecting Hicks's Quaker beliefs. The painting also references William Penn’s treaty with the Lenape Indians in the background on the left, which adds a historical and political dimension to the image, linking it to the ideals of justice and equality in the American context. To understand Hicks's paintings more fully, scholars delve into the history of Quakerism, the history of American expansion, and even the politics of abolition. This helps us understand the social, religious, and political contexts that shaped Hicks's artistic vision.