Skolemesteren 1848 - 1870

Joel Ballin created this print, Skolemesteren, depicting a schoolmaster, in the 19th century, a period of significant social change and evolving ideas about education. Ballin, born into a Jewish family in Copenhagen, navigated a society marked by both opportunities and limitations for marginalized communities. Here, Ballin offers us a glimpse into the world of childhood and learning. Yet, his work raises questions about access, privilege, and the transmission of knowledge. Who had the opportunity to learn, and what was the curriculum rooted in? Were girls receiving the same instruction as boys? And how did class and social standing affect a child’s educational path? The classroom setting itself, humble and somewhat chaotic, stands in stark contrast to the rigid structures of formal education that were emerging at the time. Ballin invites us to reflect on what it means to educate, to learn, and to grow within a community.