Maskerade van de Leidse studenten, 1865 (plaat 13) 1865

This lithograph was created in 1865 by Jan Daniël Cornelis Carel Willem baron de Constant Rebecque. It presents a procession of figures, arrayed with a rhythmic alternation of colours and forms that draws our eye across the scene. Note how the artist uses a limited palette, dominated by reds, yellows, and blues, to create visual harmony. The linear composition, with figures standing side by side, emphasizes pattern and repetition. Yet, variations in costume and accoutrements disrupt the uniformity, hinting at individuality within the group. The lithograph’s structure invites us to consider the semiotics of display and identity. Each figure, with its specific attire and bearing, functions as a signifier within a broader cultural code. The work doesn't just depict a scene; it actively constructs a narrative about social roles and visual representation, challenging fixed notions through the masquerade. The very act of masking destabilizes the boundary between appearance and reality.