Vijftigjarig bestaan van het werkhuis te Amsterdam 1832

This silver medal commemorates the fiftieth anniversary of the workhouse in Amsterdam. The oak wreath on its face is a motif stretching back to ancient Greece and Rome, a symbol of honor and virtue. Yet, this emblem, born in the cradles of Western civilization, takes on a new life here. Encircling the names of the regents, it speaks of civic duty. It echoes the laurel wreaths adorning emperors and poets, but now celebrates those governing a workhouse. This institution, intended to provide work and reform to the poor, is now framed by a symbol of resilience and strength. Consider how oak leaves, as emblems, have been woven into the fabric of collective memory, used by victorious armies, noble families, and now, those overseeing social welfare. Each iteration layers new meaning onto the old. The wreath is reborn, illustrating the human drive to find power in symbols, transforming them to communicate fresh ideas, and remind us of how we, as humans, deal with survival.