Maskerade door studenten van de Leidse Hogeschool, 1840 (plaat 18) 1840

This is "Maskerade door studenten van de Leidse Hogeschool", plate 18, made by Jacobus Ludovicus Cornet around 1840. The lithograph captures a student masquerade at Leiden University. The scene is structured around a horizontal procession of students in medieval garb, offset by the verticality of the flag and spears. The limited tonal range focuses attention on the linear precision and the geometric rendering of forms, from the spherical helmets to the striped fabric draped over the horse. Note the visual rhythm created by the repetition of figures and the deliberate use of negative space, lending the image a sparse, theatrical quality. The artwork’s formal clarity suggests a kind of order and pageantry, but also hints at the constructed nature of such displays. It prompts a deeper examination of how these early performances were intended to project power.