Schaal met voorstelling van de strijd tussen Centauren en Lapithen naar Joseph Tautenhayn, getoond tijdens de Wereldtentoonstelling van 1878 in Parijs, Frankrijk 1878

This photograph by Josef Löwy captures a reproduction of Josef Tautenhayn's sculpture, depicting the mythological battle between the Centaurs and Lapiths, as presented at the 1878 World's Fair in Paris. The image transports us back to the late 19th century when Europe was gripped by the rise of empires and a fascination with classical antiquity. Centaurs symbolize the perceived tensions between civilization and barbarism. This photograph not only echoes historical power dynamics but also mirrors the era’s fascination with mythological narratives to justify contemporary social hierarchies. Notice how the composition places emphasis on conflict and dominance. The struggle between the centaurs and the Lapiths takes on different meanings when viewed through our contemporary lens. It makes me think about the ongoing struggles for equality and justice in our own time. It reminds me that the narratives we tell ourselves about history shape our present and our future.