Peaceable Kingdom 1831

Editor: So here we have Edward Hicks' "Peaceable Kingdom," painted in 1831. It's quite striking, almost dreamlike, with all these animals coexisting. There's a real naivete to the rendering that I find disarming. What's your take on this image? What jumps out at you? Curator: Well, my dear, you've stumbled upon a fascinating piece, haven’t you? What immediately grabs me is the artist’s vision of utopian harmony amidst a landscape touched by, dare I say, biblical promise. Think of the Garden of Eden, but repopulated after some… well, after everything. The sweetness in the animal faces is deceiving, perhaps. Consider the weight of Hicks' Quaker beliefs pushing against a society wrestling with its own nature! What about that painting within a painting on the left, that glimpse of another history? Editor: I see what you mean. It's interesting to notice that there is a landscape in the background. And that small image on the left does present something beyond utopia. What do you think this artwork suggests to contemporary audiences? Curator: Hmm, that's a question that sparks joy and perhaps a little melancholia, right? We’re all looking for peaceable kingdoms within ourselves and maybe beyond. This could be an ideal for society, with all different "animals", people in different roles. So, if Edward Hicks were around today, with his brush and hopeful spirit, would he paint a portrait of achieved harmony or continue yearning, as we all do? Perhaps both, knowing the human heart! What about you? What do you take away from this trip to Eden, or nearly Eden? Editor: I think it reminds us that peace is always a work in progress, something we continually strive towards. It’s less about perfection, more about the trying. Curator: Indeed, a delightful realization!