TW427305 Home Lessons, 1887 (oil on canvas) by Hedley, Ralph (1848-1913); 38.3x28.2 cm; Laing Art Gallery, Newcastle-upon-Tyne, UK; (add.info.: Newcastle artist Ralph Hedley painted many images of schoolchildren. However, this shows a young boy having his lessons at home. For much of the 19th century school was not compulsory, and parents had to pay the teacher\'s wages. This boy\'s parents are poor, shown by his ragged clothes and bare feet, and so they probably cannot afford to send him to school. Despite this, he is eager to learn, and bends over the work on his broken slate with a look of deep concentration;); 穢 Tyne & Wear Archives & Museums; English, out of copyright.