Standbeeld van graaf Friedrich Wilhelm Bülow von Dennewitz, Unter den Linden, Berlijn 1868 - 1870

Curator: Let’s delve into this intriguing photograph, a gelatin-silver print showcasing the statue of Count Friedrich Wilhelm Bülow von Dennewitz in Unter den Linden, Berlin. It's attributed to Johann Friedrich Stiehm, dating between 1868 and 1870. Editor: The very first thing I see is a lone figure caught in a moment of contemplation – well, stone contemplation! The imposing wrought iron fence frames him a little too well, adding a theatrical intensity. Makes me wonder who this bloke was. Curator: Bülow was a Prussian general during the Napoleonic Wars, celebrated for his role in defeating Napoleon’s forces. The statue itself, likely erected shortly before this photograph, served as a potent symbol of Prussian military prowess and national pride during a period of unification and expansion. Editor: So, less about peaceful public art and more about flexing some major imperial muscles? The staging really lends itself to that reading, the monument’s almost boxed-in by the railings and the symmetrical trees framing the background just reinforce the hyper-controlled, performative nationalism that you’re pointing out. The composition seems a tad self-serious. Curator: Absolutely. It’s crucial to remember that public monuments aren't neutral; they’re always political statements, laden with messages about power, memory, and who gets to be remembered. The photograph serves as an artifact of that cultural and political moment. I am interested to know more about the material itself; a Gelatin silver print - quite novel for its time? Editor: Good question. And you are right, Gelatin-silver was really cutting edge and captured minute details like the drapery of his coat, almost breathing with its texture. Funny how the choice of medium subtly boosts the man's power, not to mention, its historical longevity Curator: And by analyzing its visual language and the historical circumstances surrounding it, we can better understand the narratives being constructed and reinforced about German identity. Editor: Well, it’s certainly given me pause on my next snapshot in the park. Monuments are more than static statues, more like megaphones echoing through time. Curator: Precisely. That lasting power, still visible in the silver's delicate sheen makes me want to analyze its staying power!