Memorial of 25th Anniversary of the Danish Brewery of Ny Carlsberg 1895

This plaquette was made by Jules-Clément Chaplain to commemorate the 25th anniversary of the Danish Brewery of Ny Carlsberg. Dominating the scene is a female figure, an allegorical representation of labor and patriotism, her flowing dress echoing classical depictions of liberty. She wields a sword, not for violence, but as a symbol of strength and purpose, reminiscent of Nike, the Greek goddess of victory. Beneath her, a field of wheat signifies the fruits of labor and the bounty of the land. Interestingly, the inscription "Laboremus pro Patria"—"Let us labor for the Fatherland"—frames her stance. This phrase connects her to the ancient Roman ideal of civic duty, a concept that resurfaces throughout Western art and political thought. Note the swastikas at the bottom of the plaque. This symbol, before its appropriation, represented prosperity and good fortune, a far cry from its later perversion. This emblem of well-being, once celebrated, became a symbol of unspeakable horror. The image reminds us that meaning is not fixed. Symbols are in constant flux.