Gemaskerde optocht, voorstellende de intocht van Ferdinand en Isabella te Granada, ter ere van de stichtingsdag van de Universiteit van Leiden 1835

This medal was created by Johannes Petrus Schouberg to honor the anniversary of the University of Leiden with a scene that depicts Ferdinand and Isabella's entrance into Granada. The choice to represent the Spanish monarchs—particularly Isabella, whose reign marked both the completion of the Reconquista and the expulsion of Jews and Muslims from Spain—speaks volumes about the complexities of historical narratives and national identity. The medal may also reflect on the Dutch Republic's own struggles for independence and religious freedom during the 16th and 17th centuries. What does it mean to celebrate the foundation of a university—an institution presumably dedicated to the pursuit of knowledge and enlightenment—with a reference to a historical moment deeply implicated in religious persecution and colonial expansion? Perhaps this medal serves as a reminder of the stories we choose to tell ourselves about our past.