Peaceable Kingdom 1833

Edward Hicks made this painting with oil on canvas, a well-established fine art medium. But Hicks wasn’t interested in the fine art world. He was a Quaker minister and sign painter, and that’s key to understanding "Peaceable Kingdom." Oil paint can capture textures and minute details if applied carefully. Hicks used the material to convey a vision inspired by the Bible, animals and people coexisting harmoniously. See how he renders the fur of the lion, the smoothness of the children’s skin, and the variety of patterns across the animals. Now, think about how Hicks made a living. Sign painting was a commercial craft, not high art. By combining his professional experience with his spiritual beliefs, Hicks blurred these boundaries. "Peaceable Kingdom" challenges our notions about artistic skill and creative expression, reminding us that art exists in many forms, each imbued with unique cultural and social meanings.