Leeuwenmonument van Luzern 1895 - 1910

This photograph, "Leeuwenmonument van Luzern" (Lion Monument of Lucerne) captured between 1895-1910 by an anonymous photographer, depicts the famous Lion Monument in Lucerne, Switzerland. This sandstone sculpture, carved by Lukas Ahorn, commemorates the Swiss Guards who died in the French Revolution in 1792. The dying lion represents the courage and sacrifice of the Swiss Guards, with a broken spear and a shield bearing the Swiss Cross. This photo, now held in the Rijksmuseum, serves as a historical record of the monument, offering a glimpse into the artistic expression and commemorative power of early photography.