A escola da aldeia

The article discusses the representation of education in the visual arts of the Netherlands and Flanders in the 16th and 17th centuries. It examines how the iconography of this period provides valuable insights into educational practices and school material culture, particularly in contexts where other historical sources are limited. While some representations show organised and respectful school environments, others illustrate the disorder and inefficiency of village schools, criticising pedagogical methods and the preparation of educators. The importance of considering both the images and the accompanying texts to fully understand the implicit social critique in the works is emphasised. Through iconographic analysis of some images, as well as discussion of the pedagogical conceptions of the period, the article aims to broaden the understanding of the History of Education in early modern Europe, highlighting contemporary perceptions of primary literacy instruction and the social critiques reflected in the art of that context

Iconography · Literacy · Social representation · Historical Education and Society · Historical Education Studies Worldwide · History of Colonial Brazil