Edward Hicks (American, 1780–1849). <em>The Peaceable Kingdom</em>, ca. 1833–1834. Oil on canvas, 17 7/16 x 23 9/16 in. (44.3 x 59.8 cm). Brooklyn Museum, Dick S. Ramsay Fund, 40.340 (Photo: Brooklyn Museum, 40.340_PS9.jpg)

Edward Hicks (American, 1780–1849). The Peaceable Kingdom, ca. 1833–1834. Oil on canvas, 17 7/16 x 23 9/16 in. (44.3 x 59.8 cm). Brooklyn Museum, Dick S. Ramsay Fund, 40.340 (Photo: Brooklyn Museum, 40.340_PS9.jpg)

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I am curious about William Penn in the background. Why did Hicks include that scene with the animals in the foreground?

That's an excellent question! The story of William Penn and his treaty with Native Americans in present-day Philadelphia coincides with the story of the animals because both represent the hope of peace and unity between different groups.

The background scene is actually based on a famous painting by the artist Benjamin West, titled "Penn's Treaty with the Indians."

So interesting!! Thank you. Last question, is Penn the man standing or kneeling?

He is the standing man gesturing with his arms. He's surrounded by other Quakers, Swedish settles, and Native Americans (specifically, Lenni Lenape).

An interesting fact: Hicks would have known this painting from a printed reproduction, and the original composition was flipped in the printing process -- so Hicks's scene of Penn's treaty is the reverse of the original!

Why is this painting freaking me out so much?!

You tell me! What are some things that you notice that strike you as odd?

Umm I think it's the eyes.

The eyes are pretty odd. The artist Edward Hicks was a self taught painter, so this work falls into the realm of 'folk art'. The artist doesn't seem to be painting from observation, so perhaps thats why things seem so freaky?

Self taught, interesting, would this also be considered primitive art? If not, what is the difference?

Well 'primitive art' or 'naive art' are terms most artists and museums try to avoid now, as they have negative connections.

But to contrast the two, I suppose that you could say 'primitive art' is work made outside of the history of western art. For example, the work of native peoples, Australian, African and non-western cultures. Where as 'naive' or 'outsider' art is made within the lineage of western art but the artists don't have a formal education from an art school, academy, or guild. Folk artists simply teach themselves techniques and strategies for how to make art. I hope that answered your question!

It did, thank you.

Is this "The Peaceable Kingdom" the only one that exists? I thought I had seen it before elsewhere but bigger?

You're right! This isn't the only version of Edward Hicks 'The Peaceable Kingdom'. From about 1820, the self-taught artist and Quaker preacher Edward Hicks painted approximately sixty versions of 'The Peaceable Kingdom'. The other versions are scattered at many different institutions across the nation. So you very well have seen a larger one.

Hello! Why did Edward Hicks portray animals in such a humanlike way?

Great observation. It is a concept known as anthropomorphism. It is when you give animals human characteristics. This is also indicative of a certain Folk quality in Hicks' art. You may even compare him to Rousseau, who painted exotic creatures and locations with the magical naiveté of a child.

The Peaceable Kingdom

Edward Hicks

American Art

On View: American Art Galleries, 5th Floor, Radical Care

In this Edenic scene inspired by a passage from the Book of Isaiah, Edward Hicks visualized the peaceful coexistence of God’s creatures, depicting animals and children in the right foreground along with a vignette in the background of William Penn’s treaty with the Lenape. Hicks idealized the encounter between British colonists and Indigenous people, creating fictions of harmony. Ultimately, the Lenape were forced out of Pennsylvania owing to fraudulent land deals perpetrated by Penn’s sons.

ARTIST Edward Hicks, American, 1780–1849

MEDIUM Oil on canvas

DATES ca. 1833–1834

DIMENSIONS 17 7/16 x 23 9/16 in. (44.3 x 59.8 cm) frame: 23 1/4 x 29 1/4 x 1 3/8 in. (59.1 x 74.3 x 3.5 cm) (show scale)

SIGNATURE Unsigned

COLLECTIONS American Art

ACCESSION NUMBER 40.340

CREDIT LINE Dick S. Ramsay Fund

PROVENANCE Prior provenance not yet documented; before 1937, acquired by John Braun of Philadelphia, PA; before 1937, acquired by Julius H. Weitzner Gallery, New York, NY; before 1937, acquired by Francis Patrick Garvan of New Haven, CT; June 7, 1940, purchased from the estate of Francis Patrick Garvan by the Brooklyn Museum.

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EXHIBITIONS

MUSEUM LOCATION This item is on view in American Art Galleries, 5th Floor, Radical Care

CAPTION Edward Hicks (American, 1780–1849). The Peaceable Kingdom, ca. 1833–1834. Oil on canvas, 17 7/16 x 23 9/16 in. (44.3 x 59.8 cm). Brooklyn Museum, Dick S. Ramsay Fund, 40.340 (Photo: Brooklyn Museum, 40.340_PS9.jpg)

IMAGE overall, 40.340_PS9.jpg. Brooklyn Museum photograph, 2020

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