Maskerade van de Leidse studenten, 1875 (plaat 7) 1875

Gerardus Johannes Bos created this chromolithograph titled, “Masquerade of the Leiden Students,” in 1875. It depicts a parade float with figures in costume. These floats were built by student organizations during a period of burgeoning Dutch nationalism and a renewed interest in the nation’s history. This historical interest was fostered in part by the institutional structure of the University of Leiden, where Dutch history was studied and debated. The students here are referencing a medieval past in their costumes and pageantry, but these displays also served to unite students in the present. One might ask if this image comments on the social structures of its own time or if it critiques the art institutions of its time. To understand this artwork better, we need to understand the history of Dutch nationalism and the role of student organizations in shaping national identity. Researching the archives of the University of Leiden will reveal more about the masquerades and the students who participated in them. Ultimately, the meaning of this art is contingent on its social and institutional context.