De Grondleggers van Neêrlands Vrijheid. (Tijd van Willem I.) voorgesteld door HH leden van het Utrechtsche studentenkorps ter viering van het 220 jarig bestaan der Utrechtsche hoogeschool den 17en Junij 1856 1856

Carel Christiaan Antony Last made this print to commemorate the 220th anniversary of the University of Utrecht in 1856. It depicts the ‘Founders of Dutch Freedom’ from the time of William the First. Look closely at the image and you will see that the figures are students from the University of Utrecht. The Netherlands in the mid-19th century was a constitutional monarchy, but the idea of Dutch freedom was still very potent. The University of Utrecht, founded in 1636, played a crucial role in shaping national identity. Commemorations like this one were part of a wider effort to construct a shared history and culture. The print visualizes the performance that took place on this special day. As historians, it is useful to ask what sources we might consult to better understand the performance as well as the social role of Dutch Universities.