Penn's Treaty

"Penn's Treaty" by Edward Hicks is a notable example of American folk art that captures a significant moment in early colonial history. Created by Hicks, a distinguished Christian minister of the Society of Friends and a prominent Naïve art (primitivism) painter, the piece reflects his deep faith and commitment to religious themes through a style that emphasizes simplicity and sincerity. As a Religious painting, it portrays William Penn’s peaceful treaty with Native Americans, symbolizing negotiation and harmony. Hicks’s work embodies the qualities of folk art, with straightforward, unpretentious imagery that resonates with American folk art traditions.