The most striking aspect here is the almost dreamlike scene of harmony: a wolf resting with a lamb, a leopard beside a kid, and a young lion and calf together, all gently guided by a small child. Edward Hicks, a folk painter and Quaker minister, depicted this biblical vision from Isaiah over a hundred times in oil on canvas, including this specific work created around 1830–32, measuring 17 7/8 x 23 7/8 inches. The way Hicks merges these distinct creatures into a single, peaceful composition is compelling, suggesting an ideal state. Unexpectedly, many versions, like this one, incorporate a separate vignette in the background: William Penn's treaty with the Indians. Hicks adapted this image from a popular painting by Benjamin West, drawing parallels between the peaceful coexistence of animals and Penn's efforts to establish Quakerism and peace in Pennsylvania. It makes you consider the aspiration for peace, both natural and political, and how intertwined those hopes truly are.