Spotprent in Leidse studentenalmanak, 1857 1857

This satirical print by Gerardus Johannes Bos, made in 1857, unveils student life in Leiden through a series of vignettes. Note the recurring motif of the raised hand. Here, it appears as a gesture of command, excitement, and even rebellion. Consider the classical Roman orator, raising his hand to sway the masses, and the preacher in the pulpit calling on God. This gesture finds its echo in our print, where students rally and debate, hands raised in spirited discourse. But observe, too, its appearance in moments of drunken revelry or confrontation. The raised hand evolves; it is no longer just about authority or divine appeal, but also about asserting oneself. The collective memory of this gesture imprints upon the viewer's psyche, stirring primal instincts related to power, dominance, and communal belonging. The artist taps into this deeply ingrained symbol, evoking a sense of collective identity. Its continuous recurrence and shifting forms exemplify the complex and cyclical nature of symbols.