Maskerade van de Leidse studenten, 1865 (plaat 7) 1865

Jan Daniël Cornelis Carel Willem baron de Constant Rebecque created this watercolor of the Maskerade van de Leidse studenten in 1865. The composition unfolds across the horizontal plane, dividing the scene into distinct groupings of figures and horses. The subdued palette, punctuated by the bright yellow of the central horse's drapery, creates a ceremonial atmosphere. The artist employs line and color to delineate the hierarchy and pageantry. Note how the figures on horseback are elevated, their importance underscored by their placement and the detail in their attire. This elevation can be viewed through a structuralist lens, where social roles and power dynamics are visually encoded. The linear precision in the figures' outlines and the horses' posture suggests an attempt to formalize and control the narrative within the composition. Ultimately, this watercolor is not just a depiction of a historical event but a carefully constructed representation of social order and spectacle, rendered through deliberate formal choices. It invites us to consider how art uses visual elements to convey complex cultural meanings and values.