Fontein op de Place Saint-Michel, Parijs 1863 - 1900

This photograph by the Neurdein Brothers captures the Fontaine Saint-Michel in Paris. At its apex stands the triumphant Archangel Michael, a symbol deeply rooted in religious iconography. Michael, with his sword raised, embodies the triumph of good over evil, a motif echoed across cultures from ancient Zoroastrianism to Christian art. Consider the Roman depiction of winged Victory, a classical echo of this conquering figure. The gesture of dominance, the raised arm, speaks to humanity's eternal struggle against chaos. The Archangel, like a vigilante, becomes a beacon of hope, a testament to our enduring faith in order and justice. It represents not just religious dogma, but a deeply ingrained psychological need for protection against the unknown, a sentiment that continues to resonate in our collective consciousness.