Take a look at this portrait. What do you see? Look at the visual clues in the painting. How can we learn more about the sitter in this painting using these clues?

The person in this painting is Edward Hicks. He is a famous American painter, most widely known for his images of people and animals living together peacefully in his Peaceable Kingdom paintings. He was also Thomas Hicks’ cousin, who was the artist of this portrait.

Thomas Hicks became an apprentice at Hicks’ sign painting shop in Newtown, Pennsylvania at the age of 13. Thomas created his first portrait of his cousin Edward in 1836. He later painted two other versions, one in 1839, and another between 1850-52. These three paintings are the only likenesses ever made of Edward Hicks. Read More »