The artwork “Peaceable Kingdom” created by Edward Hicks in 1848 is a piece that belongs to the Naïve Art (Primitivism) movement. This religious painting, which is part of the “Peaceable Kingdom” series, illustrates a harmonious vision of a utopian world based on themes from the Bible.
In the artwork, a diverse assembly of animals, ordinarily seen as natural adversaries, lies peaceably together. Predators and prey coexist in tranquility: a lion rests calmly beside cattle, a leopard sits serenely with goats, and children stand fearlessly among them. The scene is set against a bucolic backdrop, with a tree providing shade over part of the group while a river and distant landscape offer depth to the setting. On the left, a secondary vignette shows a group of people engaged in what appears to be a negotiation or treaty, perhaps referencing the Quaker beliefs Hicks held. The palette is rich and warm, capturing a sense of serenity and hopefulness that aligns with the religious themes of peace and unity.
