Monument voor de Napoleontische Oorlogen (1813-1815) op de Kreuzberg, Viktoriapark, Berlijn 1868 - 1870

This stereo card by Johann Friedrich Stiehm captures the Monument for the Napoleonic Wars in Berlin. Its sepia tones and stark composition evoke a sense of historical solemnity. The monument's architecture is structured around a central, towering spire. The composition emphasizes verticality, drawing the eye upward and creating a powerful sense of monumentality. The steps leading to the monument function as a geometric foundation, grounding the structure. The photograph itself engages with the semiotics of remembrance and national identity, and invites reflection on how societies choose to commemorate historical events. Consider how the formal elements in the photograph, from the spire to the monochromatic palette, collectively shape our understanding of history and memory. Ultimately, this work exists not just as a depiction but as an ongoing site of cultural dialogue and re-evaluation.