Peaceable Kingdom 1830

Edward Hicks painted *Peaceable Kingdom* with oil on canvas at an unknown date. Hicks was a lay preacher, but also a coach painter, so he knew his way around the physical qualities of pigments. Note how the paint has been layered to create a shallow space and a sense of depth; the texture and luminosity of the oil paint contribute to the painting's overall dreamlike quality. Hicks's artistic process was deeply intertwined with his spiritual beliefs, so the animals represent a vision of harmony and reconciliation, rooted in his Quaker faith. Also, it's worth noting the figures on the left of the frame, and the way they are framed by a banner inscribed with the words "Peace on Earth, Good Will to Men." The inclusion of this element infuses the scene with social and political overtones related to Hicks's activism. Paying attention to the materials and context can give us a better understanding of Hicks's paintings, going beyond traditional distinctions between craft and art.