Gezicht op de Siegestor te München c. 1870 - 1880

This stereograph, taken by Georg Böttger, shows the Siegestor in Munich. The Siegestor, or Victory Gate, is adorned with a quadriga—a chariot drawn by four horses—a motif that echoes through time from ancient Roman triumphal arches. These arches, symbols of imperial power and military triumph, have been replicated and reinterpreted across centuries and geographies. In ancient Rome, the arch was for victorious generals; here, it commemorates military valor. The quadriga itself carries a deep psychological weight. Horses, often symbolizing primal instincts and power, are harnessed and directed, illustrating the control of reason over instinct. This motif resonates with humanity’s ongoing struggle to manage inner drives and societal ambitions. The Siegestor, with its echoes of past empires and internal conflicts, stands as a testament to how symbols resurface, evolve, and take on new meanings, reflecting the complex interplay of history, memory, and emotion.