Image Courtesy: Wikimedia Commons, public domain
Artist: Quirijn Gerritsz. van Brekelenkam (Dutch, Zwammerdam (?), after 1622–ca. 1669 Leiden)
Satchel in hand, a boy dressed in an overcoat and wearing a large hat, is eating a piece of bread from the breakfast counter, while mother hastily adjusts her daughter’s headcover or coif to prepare her for school. In Holland learning how to read, write, and do math was considered essential for a child’s success in life and offered to both genders. In fact, Holland was the only nation in 17-century Europe to provide primary education to girls as a matter of course, preparing literate, savvy female citizens ready to build their futures in Holland, as well as in the New World.
Reference: Medium: oil on panel
Dimension: 58 x 51,5 cm.
Location: art market