Eeuwfeest van het weeshuis van de Waalse gemeente te Amsterdam 1772

This silver medal, crafted by Carel Frederik Konsé, commemorates the centennial of the Walloon Orphanage in Amsterdam. On one side, we see the orphanage building, but it's the other side that truly captures our attention. Here, a winged figure, likely an angel or allegorical representation of Charity, stands between two children. The gesture of protection and guidance, a motif as old as time, echoes in countless artistic renditions across cultures, from classical depictions of nurturing goddesses to Renaissance portrayals of the Madonna sheltering the infant Christ. Note how the figure's wings, reminiscent of classical depictions of Nike, the Greek goddess of victory, suggest not only divine favor, but also the triumph of compassion over adversity. These symbols, deeply rooted in our collective consciousness, tap into our primal need for security and benevolence. As you observe this image, consider the powerful and enduring ways in which these symbols resurface, evolving, and carrying forward the echoes of human emotion across the ages.