Pont Alexander III 

Edouard Cortes captured the Pont Alexandre III with oil on canvas. This monument, guarded by gilded statues, stands as a grandiose symbol of Franco-Russian friendship. The statues atop the pillars—winged horses and triumphant figures—recall the ancient Roman quadriga, symbols of victory and imperial power. We see echoes of this motif across millennia, from ancient friezes to Renaissance sculptures. Consider, for example, how the winged figure—a motif found in antiquity, representing speed, power, and divine messenger—transforms through history, appearing in different guises. The archangel, the Roman winged god Mercury, the protective genius, and even Nike, all convey the same emotional intensity of triumph and dominance that moves us at a subconscious level, reminding us of our hopes and fears associated with power. Note how this image embodies a non-linear, cyclical progression, resurfacing, evolving, and taking on new meanings in different historical contexts.