Portrait of Leiden Students 1890

This is a photograph by Israël David Kiek, portraying Leiden students, captured with the wet collodion process. Observe the lion, a symbol of courage, pride, and nobility, often associated with royalty and strength. The students lean casually against this symbol, reflecting a self-assuredness and aspiration for these very qualities. Since antiquity, lions have appeared in art across cultures, from the Ishtar Gate of Babylon to the sculptures guarding ancient temples. Consider the lion's presence in heraldry, representing power and dominion. Yet, here, its context shifts. These students, on the cusp of adulthood, embrace the lion's symbolism, perhaps subconsciously adopting these traits as they embark on their intellectual journeys. It is a kind of performative appropriation. The image conveys not just a snapshot in time but a deeper connection to historical motifs, revealing how symbols evolve, adapt, and resurface in new contexts, echoing through the collective memory of generations.