Uitreiking der gedenkpenningen aan vrijwillige jagers van de Leidse Hogeschool, 23 September 1831 1831

Leendert Springer created this print of the presentation of medals to volunteer soldiers from Leiden University in 1831. The event took place in the Pieterskerk church in Leiden, Netherlands. The print reveals the deep intertwining of Dutch society and its institutions. We see the University, the Church, and the Military coming together in a single event. It marks a specific moment in Dutch history, when the nation was still young, having only gained full independence from Napoleonic France in 1815. It's worth noting that the volunteer soldiers were students, suggesting a strong sense of civic duty and patriotism among the educated youth. To fully understand the print, we might explore the history of Leiden University, the role of the Dutch military in the early 19th century, and the political climate of the time. In doing so we can discover the powerful shaping role of institutions in the production of culture.