De ezel in school 1557

Editor: This is "The Ass in School" by Pieter van der Heyden, from 1557. It's an engraving, so black and white, and absolutely jam-packed with these… figures. It feels satirical, like a commentary on education, or maybe lack thereof? What jumps out at you when you look at it? Curator: It’s absolutely bonkers, isn't it? Like Hieronymus Bosch went to primary school! For me, the donkey at the top scribbling away is key. It mocks the whole enterprise of learning – suggesting that even if you put a fool in school, they'll still be a fool. Notice the abundance of, let’s say, *bottoms* being presented for…correction? There’s one literally in an egg basket, trying to learn, but also being born, if you will. It suggests we are born into ignorance! What do you make of the students with hats on? Editor: Haha! I hadn't noticed that specific…bottom detail. The hats! Are they some sign of rank? It seems like class distinctions might be baked into the critique here? The better the hat, the smarter you are—or think you are, perhaps? Curator: Possibly, or perhaps simply more folly! Consider the period. Pieter van der Heyden created this after a design by Pieter Bruegel the Elder. We are talking Northern Renaissance. He also made prints ridiculing human follies; it gives us insight into the thinking of the time, which seems just as cynical as the 21st Century if I do say so myself! Is any learning really going on? It certainly looks like it is *painful* regardless! What do you take away from this scene overall? Editor: I think it’s a reminder that education, or access to it, has always been complicated. And maybe a warning not to take ourselves too seriously in the pursuit of knowledge! There's humor in there, definitely. It made me smile despite… the exposed bottoms. Curator: Yes, there's something quite charming about how this piece makes one question the whole charade. Well said!