Maskerade van de Leidse studenten, 1850 (plaat 10) 1850

This 1850 lithograph by Carel Christiaan Antony Last depicts a scene from the “Maskerade van de Leidse studenten” (Masquerade of the Leiden students). It is one of ten plates in a series that captures the historical student tradition, which included a playful and chaotic parade through the Dutch city of Leiden. The image shows a group of students on horseback, wearing traditional clothing and carrying flags, as well as a group of students on foot marching with rifles. The detailed depiction of clothing, uniforms and flags reflects the importance of these student traditions in Dutch history and provides a glimpse into the student culture of the 19th century.