Gezicht op de paardensculpturen van de Basiliek van San Marco in Venetië c. 1870 - 1890

This photograph by C. Coen & Figlio captures the bronze horses of St. Mark's Basilica in Venice. These horses have a fascinating social history, embodying conquest and power. Originally thought to be Greek, they adorned Constantinople before being looted during the Fourth Crusade in 1204. Their placement atop St. Mark's, a symbol of Venetian wealth and power, speaks volumes about the city's imperial ambitions. The photograph itself, likely produced for tourists, further entrenches the horses as a symbol of Venetian identity. Consider how the act of photographing and distributing this image perpetuates the narrative of Venetian dominance, obscuring the horses' complex origins. To fully understand this photograph, we must delve into the history of Venice, the Crusades, and the evolving role of photography in shaping cultural memory. Only then can we grasp the layered meanings embedded within this seemingly simple image.