Maskerade van het Leidsche Studenten-Corps, 12 junij 1855 / Volksuitgaaf 1855

Gerardus Johannes Bos made this print, Maskerade van het Leidsche Studenten-Corps, in 1855 using etching. It offers us a glimpse into the political and social dynamics of the Netherlands during that time. The print employs visual metaphors to comment on the military and political state of the nation. Note the beehive with bees flying out. Here, the beehive symbolizes the Netherlands, and each bee represents different aspects of Dutch society. Some of the bees carry banners or are associated with institutions like the "Military Academy" and "National Guard," while others are labeled with concepts such as "Coastal Defense" and "Torpedoes." Made during a time of significant social and political change in the Netherlands, this imagery speaks to debates around national identity, military preparedness, and the role of citizens in defending their country. To fully understand this print, we can look at the historical context of the Netherlands in the mid-19th century, examining sources like newspapers and political pamphlets from the period. This artwork’s meaning emerges from its social and institutional context.