Maskerade van de Leidse studenten, 1870 (plaat 10) 1870

Gerardus Johannes Bos created this print, "Masquerade of the Leiden Students, 1870," using lithography, a medium that democratized image distribution in the 19th century. Note the elaborate costumes in the style of the Renaissance, suggesting a cultural memory of grandeur and chivalry. These riders on horseback are adorned in costumes evoking a romanticized past, each detail a deliberate choice to transport the viewer back to a perceived golden age. Throughout history, the horse, depicted here in various stages of controlled motion, is also a motif found in classical equestrian statues and Renaissance paintings. The motif speaks of power and prestige. The costume also mirrors that of Commedia dell'Arte, where masks and costumes were used to portray stock characters and satirize society. The image becomes a powerful, subconscious echo of collective aspirations. The past is never truly gone; it resurfaces, evolves, and takes on new meanings in different historical contexts.