Penning van het studentencorps van de Universiteit van Leiden, uitgegeven naar aanleiding van de maskerade van 1840 'De intocht van Jan van Beieren in Leiden in 1420', op naam van A.N.M. Pit 1840

Curator: Right, let's have a closer look at this medal from 1840, currently held at the Rijksmuseum. It was issued by the student corps of Leiden University to commemorate the 1840 masquerade, "The Entry of Jan van Beieren into Leiden in 1420," and dedicated to A.N.M. Pit. Editor: My initial reaction is that it's surprisingly intricate for something so small. I love how these little artifacts can hold entire historical narratives in their details. Curator: Precisely! It's crafted from metal, through engraving, and what’s fascinating is the context. The masquerade itself was a re-enactment of a significant historical moment – Jan van Beieren's entrance into Leiden in 1420, a key event in the city's history. The medal becomes a keepsake, a tangible link to that performance. Editor: I see the coats of arms and that fierce little mask below. There is something playfully theatrical. You know, those students back then, just imagining them meticulously recreating a medieval procession and partying all night—I wonder how many anachronisms they threw in just for kicks. Curator: Undoubtedly, plenty of theatrical license was taken. But consider how this medal, through its imagery and inscription, promotes a particular vision of Leiden’s past. These kinds of student traditions, even when lighthearted, served to reinforce civic identity and pride. Think about it in terms of public memory. How does that history gets used or sometimes abused? Editor: I’m with you there. It is beautiful to know the historical narrative around such artwork because its cultural and socio-political undertones adds to the whole experience of it. Knowing the history enriches the perception and interpretation, and brings this tiny artifact to life. Curator: Exactly, and its being dedicated to A.N.M. Pit. raises a point. I would love to dive deep to find more about that figure's life. Anyway, food for thought, really. Editor: Definitely! It seems there’s so much this little medallion reveals not only about a specific historical event but also the way that events get remembered and performed. What an extraordinary piece of historical bling!