Maskerade van de Utrechtse studenten, 1846 (plaat 14) 1847

Carel Christiaan Antony Last created this print of the Utrecht students' masquerade in 1846. Observe the sword, held aloft by one of the riders, a potent symbol of power, justice, and authority that dates back millennia. We see the sword in ancient Roman art as a symbol of military might, and in medieval Christian iconography, it represents divine justice or the power of the Word. Its presence can evoke a deep, subconscious response, triggering primal associations with protection, leadership, and the defense of beliefs. Consider how, in different eras, the sword's design and the way it is wielded alter its significance. Is it a symbol of righteous battle, or of tyranny and oppression? This image, captured in a masquerade, subtly plays with these ingrained cultural memories, prompting us to contemplate the cyclical nature of power.