“Peaceable Kingdom”, created in 1846 by Edward Hicks, is a distinguished example of Naïve Art, also referred to as Primitivism. This artwork is a religious painting and belongs to Hicks’ renowned “Peaceable Kingdom” series.
The artwork portrays an idyllic scene featuring a variety of animals and human figures coexisting harmoniously. Predominantly in the foreground, a lion, a leopard, an ox, and other domesticated animals are depicted standing together peacefully. Among them, a child is holding an olive branch, an emblem of peace. In the lower left corner, two cherubic children are seated, underscoring innocence and serenity. The background exhibits a serene landscape with rolling hills, trees, and a river, encompassing a group of people, likely pilgrims or settlers, moving in the distance. The painting encapsulates a utopian vision of coexistence between creatures of all kinds, symbolizing a divine or eschatological peace. The overall composition and luminous color palette strengthen the spiritual and ethereal quality of the piece.
