Roei-, steiger- en schuitenvoerdersgilde van Amsterdam, gildepenning van Jan Staedig, ligplaats Herbergsteiger 1735

This guild badge, made by an anonymous artist, presents a dichotomy through its circular form and the linear engravings upon it. The medal’s composition is divided into two faces. One side depicts a boat sailing on a wavy sea, under a sky marked by rudimentary stars. The opposite side features an inscription detailing the name Jan Staedig, and an emblem with a cross above a heart. The use of line and form is particularly interesting. On the boat side, hatching defines the sails and water, while on the inscription side, careful calligraphy and iconography fill the space. The flat, almost naive rendering of the imagery contrasts with the meticulous lettering, creating a dialogue between image and text, craft and symbol. The badge functions as both art and artifact; it reflects the social structures of its time, while its visual elements invite us to consider the relationships between representation and identity.