The artwork titled “Grandad, She Does Not Want to Go to School” was created by James Charles in 1883 and belongs to the Realism art movement. It falls within the genre of genre painting. The artwork portrays an everyday scene with lifelike detail and emotional depth characteristic of Realism.
In the artwork, an elderly man, possibly the grandfather, bends down to speak gently to a young girl who appears to be reluctant to go to school. The girl, with a hesitant expression, is holding a small bag and clutching the folds of her apron, conveying her apprehension. Next to her stands a boy, presumably her brother, dressed in tidy school uniform, holding a bookbag displaying a more resolute demeanor. The background features a rustic setting with trees devoid of leaves, red brick buildings, and a wooden fence, enhancing the scene’s authenticity and everyday essence highlighted by Realism. The painting, with its detailed representation and poignant depiction of a child’s reluctance to embrace schooling, encapsulates a moment in the lives of ordinary people.
