Maskerade van de Leidse studenten, 1875 (plaat 10) 1875

Editor: So, here we have “Maskerade van de Leidse studenten, 1875 (plaat 10)”, or “Masquerade of Leiden Students, 1875 (plate 10)”, created with coloured pencil by Gerardus Johannes Bos. The artwork depicts riders in historical costumes. It has a light, airy feel, but the detail in the costumes is remarkable. What leaps out at you when you look at it? Curator: What tickles my fancy is how it simultaneously embraces precision and playfulness. The artist diligently renders the details of each historical costume, but it’s as if he couldn't resist adding a touch of theatricality – like a wink at the viewer. Are we really peering into the past, or is this a spirited game of dress-up fueled by youthful exuberance? What do you think the context may have been behind this event? Editor: That's an interesting point, this theatrical aspect. The artist clearly captures a very organized depiction of a playful past-time. I mean, looking at these students here with such elaborate and well-crafted costumes seems excessive, almost bizarre, for a university parade. I can almost smell the perfume and hear the laughter, can you? Curator: Indeed! Perhaps it was about forging a connection with their academic heritage, a visual reminder of tradition through creative expression, don't you think? Or maybe it was simply a way to cut loose from the confines of the university curriculum, right? I am fond of a little organised chaos in formal gatherings myself... I wonder if I should have tried something like this in college. Editor: It really prompts you to imagine what these parades were like! Well, thinking about this art piece from the perspective of academic tradition and youth creativity makes this genre-painting much more attractive than I thought. Curator: Absolutely! And I found myself pondering how our attempts to honour tradition can sometimes result in surprisingly inventive expressions, not unlike how you found more layers to the piece than you first assumed.