Nieuwjaarswens van de Amsterdamse nachtwacht voor het jaar 1845 1844 - 1845

This broadside print, made in Amsterdam in 1845, features Amsterdam’s night watch offering New Year’s greetings to the city's residents. Notice the central image: night watchmen standing watch in the foreground, with domestic buildings in the background. This composition places the night watchmen as protectors of the domestic sphere. The motif of the night watch as guardians echoes across centuries. Consider the ancient Roman Lares, household deities, or even the vigil lights of medieval Europe, all serving to safeguard the home. In ancient Greece, the Hesperides guarded the golden apples, a potent symbol of protection and domestic tranquility. The Amsterdam night watch are modern iterations, transposed to a civic level. Here, we see the collective anxiety around safety manifesting in a formal promise for the coming year, engaging a subconscious desire for security and social order. The image acts as a cultural touchstone, connecting us to primal needs that transcend time. It’s a reminder of how symbols evolve, yet still tap into humanity's enduring quest for safety.