The Grave of William Penn
1847 National Gallery of Art, Washington D.C.
About this artwork
This oil painting depicts the final resting place of William Penn, the founder of Pennsylvania, at the Jordans Quaker meeting house in England. The work features a structured landscape composition with figures, a horse-drawn carriage, and a herd of cattle in the foreground.
Did you know?
Edward Hicks, a prominent American folk artist and Quaker minister, painted this scene long after Penn's death to honor the Quaker heritage. The painting reflects Hicks's deep interest in history and his signature style, often characterized by simplified forms and a distinctively earnest, didactic approach to his subjects. It remains a significant example of how 19th-century American painters engaged with their transatlantic religious and cultural history.
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The Grave of William Penn
Edward Hicks, 1847
