The Good Education

In Jean-Siméon Chardin’s 1753 painting, we see a girl being taught by a woman who is likely her tutor.  The open book is a clear source of knowledge for the child.  But, I’m also aware of source of the light that streams in from the window.  It raises a question that remains with us to this day: Does learning come from the outside world, from a book, or perhaps from within?

Note: this image appears as part of Google Arts & Culture, an exciting online repository for artwork for around the world.