Löwendenkmal in Luzern, Zwitserland 1863 - 1914

This photograph by Giorgio Sommer, taken between 1863 and 1914, captures the iconic "Lion Monument" in Lucerne, Switzerland. The monument, carved into a rock face, depicts a dying lion, representing the Swiss Guards who perished during the French Revolution. The inscription below the lion reads "Die X Augusta, VII Septembris MDCCXCV," marking the date of the massacre in 1792. Sommer's photograph captures the grandeur and emotional power of this monumental sculpture, which has become a symbol of bravery and sacrifice. The photograph itself, a silver print, highlights the details of the lion's form, creating a powerful image that embodies the monument's historical significance.