Peaceable Kingdom 1847

Edward Hicks painted his vision of the Peaceable Kingdom, a world where the lion lies down with the lamb, drawing from the biblical prophecies of Isaiah. Hicks, a Quaker minister, repeatedly returned to this theme, envisioning a harmonious world. But note how these creatures of predator and prey, symbols of our own conflicting instincts, huddle together, almost wary, not quite at peace. This motif of animals coexisting, seemingly defying their nature, speaks to a deeper longing for harmony, and the tension that underscores it. Such images echo through history, from ancient pastoral scenes to modern utopian visions, each reflecting humanity's persistent dream of overcoming internal and external strife. This vision is never fully realised, always shadowed by an awareness of the inherent conflicts within ourselves. Like a recurring dream, the image of the Peaceable Kingdom resurfaces, a testament to our enduring hope and our unshakeable consciousness of its fragility.