Hoveniersgilde van Maastricht, gildepenning van Willem Hameler 1726

This is a guild badge made for the Maastricht Gardeners’ Guild, likely in 1726. At its heart, we see Saint Urban, the patron saint of gardeners, vintners, and vine growers. He’s depicted in papal garb, holding a cross-staff, surrounded by adoring figures from the guild. The recurrence of Saint Urban as a protector of agriculture echoes ancient pagan traditions, like the Roman festivals honoring Bacchus. His image is not just a symbol of faith but also a deep-seated connection to the cycles of nature and the hope for fruitful harvests. We observe this symbol in the catacombs of Rome where the early Christians met, with vines and grapes. It is a visual echo in a space meant to honour the dead and inspire hope of resurrection. The emotional power of this emblem lies in its timeless appeal to human needs: for nourishment, for growth, and for divine favor. It's a vivid reminder that even in our modern age, we remain tethered to the symbolic language of our ancestors. The cyclical resurgence of St. Urban, from pagan roots to Christian veneration, reveals how symbols evolve, adapt, and resurface, bearing the accumulated weight of history and subconscious desires.