EDUCATION OF CHARLES THE FIFTH COURTESY, LEOPOLD GOLDMUNTZ
BY BARON HENDRIK LEYS ( 1861) NEW YORK CITY

THIS famous painting dramatizes some of the educational traditions
that came from Europe to America and still live on in much of our think-
ing and action.

The scene portrays the cathedral at Ghent where several clergymen
represent the all-embracing interest of the church in education.

Attended by his mother and by members of the court in the gallery,
the young prince, who became Emperor Charles V of the Holy Roman
Empire in 1519, receives the education bestowed by an aristocratic state
upon the privileged few of birth, wealth, or intellect.

The classical character of the curriculum is symbolized by Erasmus,
the foremost humanist of his age, who stands at the lectern on the left.
Instructional methods are typified by the active lecturing of the teacher
and the passive listening of the student.

When religious, aristocratic, and humanistic traditions confront secu-
larism, democracy, and science, educators must make important choices
among their conflicting traditions.

-ii-