Maskerade van de Leidse studenten, 1875 (plaat 12) 1875

Gerardus Johannes Bos created this print titled *Maskerade van de Leidse studenten* in 1875. It depicts Leiden students in costume, riding horses or walking. The image preserves a record of student life in the Netherlands at a time of cultural change. The costumes themselves reference earlier periods, evoking a sense of tradition. But, such events also had a social function. They served as a display of wealth and status within the student body, highlighting the hierarchical structures of Dutch society. Student associations often played a significant role in shaping the social and political views of their members, with traditions reinforcing social bonds and shared identities. To fully understand this work, it's helpful to consider the history of student culture in Leiden, as well as the economic conditions that allowed such displays of wealth. Records of student associations and university archives can provide valuable context for interpreting the image.