Tentoonstelling van de Maatschappij tot Verbetering van den Werkenden Stand te Amsterdam 1859

This bronze medal, commemorating an exhibition by the Society for the Improvement of the Working Class in Amsterdam, features powerful symbols of state and success. Note the royal crest, prominently displayed, a direct assertion of authority and patronage. It echoes the symbolism of power found in ancient heraldry, where emblems declared lineage and dominion. Turn the medal over, and observe the laurel wreath: a classical motif signifying victory and honor. The roots of this symbol go back to ancient Greece, where wreaths adorned triumphant athletes and celebrated figures. Consider how these symbols—the crest and the wreath—speak to our collective memory. They transcend mere decoration, tapping into deeply ingrained cultural associations of power, achievement, and societal approval. The exhibition hoped to create a sense of progress, of hope for the working class. The use of the crest and wreath here, though, suggest more about the collective desire for success, but under the auspices of the state. These are old symbols for new political aims, and in their use, we can see how the past always informs the present.