Edward Hicks ⁽¹⁾

Edward Hicks (1780–1849) was the American folk artist known for his deeply symbolic and often spiritual paintings, which are about as comforting as a big ol’ hug from the 19th century. Hicks is best remembered for his serene depictions of the Peaceable Kingdom, a series of paintings where lions, lambs, and other animals live in harmony, embodying his Quaker beliefs about peace, love, and, well, the very peaceful coexistence of all creatures. Picture a cozy little paradise where everyone's getting along, and that was the vibe Hicks was going for.

What makes Hicks’ work so delightful—and, honestly, a little whimsical—is how he blended naive, folk-style art with spiritual and allegorical themes. His paintings often feature animals in peaceful settings, but they also serve as metaphors for the Quaker philosophy of pacifism and the promise of peace in a chaotic world. It’s like he was painting a dream world where everything was calm and harmonious… and maybe a little bit too perfect for real life, but in the most heartwarming way.

Although Hicks was technically a folk artist, his work spoke to universal themes. Whether it was a scene of farm animals or a biblical allegory, he conveyed a sense of innocence and idealism that felt almost nostalgic—even when the subject matter was quite serious. There’s a certain charm to his straightforward style, too—his figures might not have had the most polished or detailed features, but they had the kind of sincerity that made you want to believe in the peace and harmony he was illustrating.