before 1958
Eendracht arbeiders en soldaten
Aat Verhoog
1933Location
RijksmuseumListen to curator's interpretation
Curatorial notes
This print titled 'Unity of Workers and Soldiers' was created by Aat Verhoog. Note how the figures of the worker and soldier seem to emerge from the industrial landscape below. This merging of man and machine echoes the ancient motif of the centaur, half-man, half-horse, symbolizing the integration of instinct and intellect. Here, it speaks to the union of labor and military might. The motif of unity is charged with historical significance, recurring in various guises throughout history. Consider the Roman fasces, a bundle of rods signifying strength through union. This symbol reappears in revolutionary imagery, reflecting a collective unconscious yearning for harmony amidst discord. This image engages viewers on a deep, subconscious level, resonating with our primal desire for solidarity. The symbol is not fixed; it evolves and resurfaces, bearing witness to the cyclical nature of history and the enduring human quest for collective strength.