Eerste eeuwfeest van de stichting van het Lutherse diaconieweeshuis te Amsterdam, penning aan de weeskinderen uitgedeeld 1778

This is a silver medal made by Carel Frederik Konsé commemorating the centenary of the Lutheran orphanage in Amsterdam. The medal is bisected by two scenes, each rich in symbolism. On one side, we see the imposing facade of the orphanage, and on the other a scene of divine care. Here, angels from above illuminate the orphans below with heavenly light, a powerful evocation of divine providence. A mother extends her hand, guiding her child toward the light, an echo of the Madonna's protective gesture, seen in countless iterations across centuries and cultures. This motif touches something primal, evoking feelings of security, and maternal care. The wheel of fortune in the lower left also speaks to the unpredictable nature of life, and the orphanage as a means to protect against it. Such symbols remind us that images resonate deeply because they tap into the collective unconscious, continuing their journey through time, each time colored by new experiences.