Gezicht op het Winterpaleis en de Alexander-obelisk in Sint-Petersburg c. 1860 - 1880

Alfred Lorens captured this view of the Winter Palace and Alexander Column in Saint Petersburg through photography, a relatively new medium at the time. The Alexander Column, crowned with an angel, dominates the scene, evoking the triumphal columns of ancient Rome, symbols of power and victory. The column is a motif that stretches back through millennia, from the obelisks of Egypt, associated with sun worship and eternity, to the pillars supporting classical temples. Columns, which are phallic symbols, represent strength, stability, and the connection between the earthly and divine realms. The angel atop the column, a Christian symbol of divine grace, reflects a synthesis of classical and religious iconography. This combination embodies the complex cultural memory of Europe, and the ways in which different traditions merge and evolve. The image taps into our collective psyche, stirring deep-seated emotions related to power, spirituality, and the enduring human quest for meaning, forever evolving through cultural memory.