Korendragers- en -stortersgilde van Amsterdam, gildepenning van Coenraad de Ruyter 1759

This guild badge for Coenraad de Ruyter was crafted in Amsterdam by an anonymous artist. It depicts a man bearing a load upon his head. This symbol is a potent reminder of the labour and collective effort that defined the guilds. Consider how images of burden-bearing figures have appeared across cultures, from Atlas holding the celestial sphere to countless representations of labourers. The weight they carry is not merely physical; it symbolizes responsibility, endurance, and the struggles of the working class. The image is simple, direct and calls up a feeling of empathy. The image of the labourer continues to resonate with us today, evolving into symbols of protest and solidarity. It serves as a reminder of the burdens we all carry, both seen and unseen, and the ways in which collective memory shapes our understanding of work, society, and identity. It illustrates how symbols evolve in a cyclical journey, adapting and resurfacing throughout history.