Montering van de cavalerie van het exercitiegenootschap van de studenten van Leiden, ca. 1787 1787 - 1790

Around 1787, an unknown artist depicted the uniform of the cavalry of the Leiden student corps in watercolor. Here, the riding crop is not just an object; it's a scepter of youthful authority. Consider how batons and scepters have, for millennia, signified power and leadership, from ancient Egyptian pharaohs to Roman consuls. This seemingly simple stick echoes across time, reminding us of our innate, perhaps subconscious, desire for order and control. The student's confident stance and refined attire further enhance this idea of self-assured dominion. In this light, the riding crop, in conjunction with the uniform, speaks to the theater of power, a recurring theme throughout history. The artwork, therefore, invites us to explore the psychological roots of our admiration for symbols of authority, even in the guise of student regalia. The motif of the baton, born of necessity, evolves into a potent emblem, traversing time and culture.