Maskerade van de Leidse studenten, 1865 (plaat 14) 1865

Jan Daniël Carel Willem baron de Constant Rebecque created this artwork, "Maskerade van de Leidse studenten, 1865," using an etching technique. Here, we see students masked as medieval knights atop their steeds, their lances held high, evoking a sense of chivalry and martial prowess. The horse—a universal symbol of power, virility, and nobility—carries figures reminiscent of ancient equestrian statues of emperors and heroes. This motif, deeply rooted in our collective memory, transcends time and space, as seen in the Marcus Aurelius statue in Rome, where the emperor, mounted, embodies imperial authority. But look closer; the Leiden students are playfully masquerading. What does it mean for them to imagine themselves as knights? This image captures a psychological tension between the desire to emulate a glorious past and the awareness of its distance from the present. Their youthful energy seeks a connection to history, reminding us that even in jest, the past is a powerful force.