Gemaskerde optocht door de studenten, ter herdenking van jonker Willem, graaf van Oostervant, ter ere van de 290e stichtingsdag van de Universiteit van Leiden 1865

This silver medal, crafted by David van der Kellen, commemorates the 290th anniversary of Leiden University with a masked procession honoring Jonker Willem, Count of Oostervant. The central motif—an equestrian figure—evokes images of power and nobility deeply rooted in Western art. Consider, for instance, the Roman emperors on horseback, symbols of dominion and authority. This motif resurfaces throughout history, shifting in meaning yet retaining its core association with leadership. The act of memorializing historical figures through grand processions taps into our collective memory, stirring subconscious associations with heroism and cultural pride. The appeal to the past in commemorative processions serves as a reminder of the cyclical nature of history and how symbols reappear, transformed by the present. This medal not only celebrates an anniversary but also invites us to reflect on the enduring power of images and their ability to connect us to our cultural past, reminding us of the emotional and psychological bonds that tie us to history.