Schlossplatz en Neues Schloss in Stuttgart c. 1865 - 1875

Ludwig Schaller captured this view of Stuttgart's Schlossplatz and Neues Schloss with photography. Dominating the scene is the Jubiläumssäule, the Jubilee Column, topped by the Concordia statue. Concordia, the Roman goddess embodying harmony, stands here as a symbol of unity and order, a visual anchor in the heart of the city. Columns, as potent symbols, reach back to antiquity. Think of Trajan's Column in Rome, or even the Egyptian obelisks, all asserting power and stability through their verticality. The goddess, with her associations to peace and agreement, can be seen in other guises throughout history and art. These symbols, etched into the collective memory, are more than mere representations. They evoke deep-seated emotional responses, subconsciously reminding us of humanity's continuous quest for harmony, order and an idealized past. Their cyclical presence in art and culture speaks to our enduring psychological need for stability and reconciliation.