Hungarian Children Going to School 1838

Auguste Raffet made this lithograph, "Hungarian Children Going to School," in France in the early to mid-19th century. The print depicts a long line of children walking on a dusty road, presumably on their way to school, while other figures, including a shepherd, look on from a nearby hill. What can we say about the public role of education in Hungary at this time? Hungary was then part of the Austrian Empire and Hungarian nationalism and cultural identity were developing through institutions like the school. It’s interesting to note the artist was French. Why did he create this image? Was it part of a broader European interest in the diverse cultures and customs of different regions, or perhaps a reflection on the social and political dynamics within the Austrian Empire? Research into the artist's other works, travel journals, and the publishing history of this print might help us to understand the specific social and institutional contexts that influenced its creation.