The artwork titled “School Rules” was created by William Holbrook Beard in the year 1887. This piece is part of the Romanticism art movement and belongs to the genres of animal painting and caricature.
In “School Rules,” William Holbrook Beard portrays a scene where anthropomorphic animals are gathered in what appears to be a classroom setting. The characters, dressed in human attire, depict various animals, such as a monkey, cats, rabbits, and a pig. The monkey, dressed as a teacher in a red striped robe, is seated and appears to be disciplining the other animals, which are lined up before him, seemingly in trouble. Some of the animals are hunched and their expressions suggest a sense of guilt or apprehension. The backdrop includes a clock and a board with the word “RULES” partially visible, emphasizing the setting’s theme. The overall tone of the artwork blends humor with satire, utilizing the caricature of human-like behaviors in animals to comment on societal norms.
