Slepersgilde van Amsterdam, gildepenning van Isaak Winckelman 1764

This guild badge for Isaak Winckelman of the Amsterdam Slepersgilde, or Towing Guild, was crafted by Hans Rogiers van Harelbeke. Notice how the circular form of the bronze medium dictates the composition, compelling the artist to compress symbolic elements into a compact space. On one side, a horse pulls a barge, with a driver standing behind. The composition creates a dynamic sense of forward motion, emphasizing the guild's role in the city's bustling trade. The textured surface surrounding the figures adds depth, while the beaded edge frames the scene, enhancing its significance. The reverse side features a coat of arms, flanked by lions, above an inscription indicating Winckelman's name and the date of May 22, 1664. This badge, through its careful design, communicates not only identity and belonging but also the values of labor and civic pride, emblematic of Amsterdam’s cultural and economic climate during this period. It serves as a cultural artifact whose intricate composition invites us to contemplate the social dynamics of the time.