Gebouw van de Generale Staf en de Alexanderzuil in Sint-Petersburg c. 1880 - 1900

This is a photograph of the General Staff Building and the Alexander Column in St. Petersburg, taken by J. Daziaro. The image encapsulates the grandeur of imperial Russia and the power of its state institutions. The Alexander Column, erected in the 1830s, commemorates Russia's victory over Napoleon. Note how the column dwarfs the figures at its base, symbolizing the Tsar's power. Adjacent to it, the General Staff Building, with its imposing arch, represents the state's administrative and military might. The photograph’s composition subtly reinforces the idea of autocratic power. Understanding this image requires looking into the history of St. Petersburg itself. Founded by Peter the Great as a ‘window to Europe’, the city became a stage for the Romanov dynasty to display its power through monumental architecture. Historians consult state archives, architectural plans, and personal accounts from the time to decode how symbols were used to legitimize the political order. Art is always shaped by its social and institutional context.