Romeinse afdeling in het Neues Museum, Berlijn 1868 - 1870

This photograph by Johann Friedrich Stiehm captures the Roman section of the Neues Museum in Berlin. The colonnades and classical sculptures evoke a sense of ancient grandeur, echoing the ideals of the Roman Empire. Observe the statues: figures frozen in gestures that speak volumes. Consider the motif of the draped figure, seen here. This motif appears throughout classical art and is meant to convey modesty, virtue, and status. From ancient Greek sculptures to Renaissance paintings, the drape has been employed to ennoble the human form, linking it to a rich tapestry of cultural and historical significance. The arrangement of these sculptures, bathed in diffused light, creates a theatrical space. This careful arrangement reveals a desire to invoke the psychological weight of the past, engaging viewers on a subconscious level with notions of power, beauty, and mortality. The photograph not only presents a scene but also evokes the enduring spirit of classical antiquity.