Dennis Lyall (American, B. 1946) "Amish Children Walking from School" Signed lower right. Oil on Canvas. Provenance: Collection of James A. Helzer (1946-2008), Founder of Unicover Corporation. This painting was originally published on the Fleetwood First Day Cover for the U.S. 34c Sunshine and Shadow Amish Quilt stamp issued August 9, 2001. Seeking to worship and live as they saw fit, Mennonites and Amish migrated from Switzerland, Holland and Germany in the early 18th century to Pennsylvania, where religious freedom was guaranteed. Like every cultural group, the "Plain People" value education. But Old Order Amish do not believe in formal education beyond basic reading, writing and arithmetic. Holding with the Bible, "The wisdom of this world is foolishness with God." They discourage their boys from attending high school, and girls are allowed to leave at grade seven. Parents believe that secondary education teaches unacceptable values of an increasingly competitive, materialistic and technical culture, and that sitting at a desk learning irrelevant things not only blocks religious training, it reduces time available for acquiring life skills and values. Time is better spent, they believe, training children at home, close to the soil, and emphasis is placed upon cooperation, peace, love of hard work, and living life at a reasonable pace. Following the arrest of three Amish fathers who refused to abide by compulsory education laws, the U.S. Supreme Court in the 1972 case, Wisconsin vs. Yoder, ruled that Amish children could not be forced into high school if it was against their religion -- a victory for the Amish and many religious groups that supported them. The decision affirmed not only religious freedom, but also the importance of a culturally pluralistic America. Image Size: 13.5 x 11.5 in. Overall Size: 18 x 15.5 in. Unframed. (B16947)