Friday, May 25, 2012

The Peaceable Kingdom

During my stay at Pendle Hill (near Philadelphia) earlier this month, I got to visit the Friends Historical Library at Swarthmore College. This painting of the Peaceable Kingdom by Edward Hicks hangs in the librarian's office.

I didn't realize that Hicks (1780-1849) painted so many different versions of this scene — at least 60 of them — based on Isaiah 11:6-7.

In addition to the  various animals with a child, Hicks would add a small depiction of William Penn's treaty with the Indians — a near-contemporary version of a peaceable kingdom.

This painting, however, is different. Hicks sympathized with his cousin Elias Hicks as Friends became divided in 1827. See the large group of Quakers in the left side of the picture? These are leaders among Friends, going back to George Fox, William Penn and Robert Barclay in the back of the group. Elias Hicks stands in the front row.

Source: Philadelphia Quakers: 1681-1981
-- 
Posted by at
Labels: , ,

4 comments:

Kristi Carver said...

I love your post, so educational and entertaining! From one MNINB'r to another, you're a Versatile Blogger. Check it out and pick up your badge at Colorado Girl Writes, http://kristicarver.blogspot.com
You go girl!

2:14 PM
Elizabeth Saunders said...

Thank you, Kristi!

7:18 PM
Jennifer Chow said...

Neat info! I went to a Friends church for awhile. Like Kristi, I also nominated you for the Versatile Blogger Award: http://jenniferjchow.blogspot.com/2012/05/baatgwa-versatile-blogger-award.html

1:11 PM
Elizabeth Saunders said...

Thanks, Jennifer! I will visit your blog.

9:14 PM

Post a Comment

Subscribe to: Post Comments (Atom)