A May Morning View of the Farm and Stock of David Leedon 1849

Edward Hicks, a Quaker minister and self-taught painter, created this rural scene using oil on canvas, a traditional medium, though his approach was far from academic. Hicks's material handling is straightforward. He applied thin layers of paint, building up forms and colors gradually to create this pastoral landscape. Look closely, and you’ll notice a certain stiffness in the rendering of the animals and buildings. The textures are somewhat flattened, lacking the illusionistic depth you might find in academic paintings. As a Quaker, Hicks didn't believe in artistic ostentation. Instead, his paintings reflected the values of his community, emphasizing honesty, simplicity, and the dignity of labor. Hicks made a living as a sign painter and produced many versions of "Peaceable Kingdom", often bartering them for goods and services. His painting style reflects the directness of his faith and the realities of rural life in early 19th-century America. "A May Morning View" highlights the value of art rooted in everyday experiences and the dignity of craft-based production.