The artwork titled “The Grave of William Penn” was created by Edward Hicks in 1857. As a part of the Naïve Art or Primitivism movement, the painting falls under the genre of landscape, portraying a serene rural setting.
In the painting, on the left, a large two-story house with multiple chimneys is situated beside a road with a few people and a horse-drawn carriage. This road appears elevated as a stone bridge-like structure crosses over an area where livestock are gathered. The foreground features substantial livestock presence, including sheep and cattle that are grazing or resting on the grass. The central focus of the composition consists of these animals, with dark and light variations among them, likely suggesting different breeds. The terrain gently rolls into the background where silhouetted trees are scattered across a wide expanse, indicating a spacious outdoor setting. The sky above shows a scattering of clouds highlighted by the illumination of sunlight, implying either an early morning or late afternoon ambiance. The varied brushwork, from the detailed depiction of the house and animals to the more impressionistic handling of the trees and clouds, imparts a simple and peaceful atmosphere, typical of Hicks’ style and the naïve art aesthetic.
