Reliëf op de sokkel van het ruiterstandbeeld van Frederik de Grote, Unter den Linden, Berlijn 1868 - 1870

This is a stereoscopic card by Johann Friedrich Stiehm, capturing the relief on the pedestal of the equestrian statue of Frederick the Great in Berlin. During the late 19th century, Germany underwent significant political and social transformations, marked by the rise of nationalism and Prussian dominance. These cards were produced and widely distributed against this backdrop of burgeoning national pride and imperial ambition. The image depicts scenes of military prowess and noble governance, typical of the period's glorification of historical figures. But consider the power dynamics inherent in such representations: who is celebrated, and whose stories are omitted? The emphasis on military strength, and the implicit endorsement of hierarchical social structures reveal the values and biases of its time, furthering a narrative of German superiority. These cards allowed for a personal engagement with national symbols, yet they also participated in the construction of a selective, idealized history.