Overwinningszuil voor Drievuldigheidskathedraal in Sint-Petersburg c. 1880 - 1900

This photograph by J. Daziaro captures the Overwinningszuil, or Victory Column, in St. Petersburg. It's a relatively small print, yet it speaks volumes about the materials and processes involved in monumental construction. Consider the column itself, likely built from stone and bronze. Each element, from the foundation to the crowning figure, demanded skilled labor. Quarrying, carving, casting—these were not just trades, but embodied the Russian Empire's ambition. The photograph flattens this labor, but also memorializes it. The photograph is a mass produced object of a monument that lauds nationalistic ideals and political power, thus creating another dimension through which to view the materials, making, and context of the column. This challenges traditional distinctions between fine art and craft.