Sheriff explains that when the paintings are paired together it highlights the gendered precedents enforced by society. She argues that in The Drawing Lesson, the young man’s work converges on several academic strategies of art and science in order to situate him as a productive and active member of society. The little girl’s education involving reading and memorization of biblical text highlights the repetitive indoctrination of morals and virtues to assimilate the idea of female perfection. Interestingly, even though young girl’s education revolved around morality, it would usually cease around age twelve to discourage curiosity and desire for within further education. Feminist scholar Evelyn Gordon Bodek, suggests in her article Salonnières
