Gezicht op het Piazza del Plebiscito met het Largo Palazzo en op de achtergrond de Sant'Elmo te Napels, Italië 1857 - 1914

This photograph captures the Piazza del Plebiscito in Naples, featuring the Largo Palazzo and Sant'Elmo castle, through the lens of Giorgio Sommer. Notice the equestrian statues that stand prominently in the square, which have ancient roots. These figures evoke the Roman tradition of celebrating emperors and generals on horseback, symbols of power and authority. We can see how these statues connect to the Marcus Aurelius statue in Rome, yet while the Roman example embodies philosophical leadership, these later versions lean towards military might. The statues engage our collective memory, recalling the symbolic weight of leadership. The colonnades here create a stage for public life, recalling the stoa of ancient Greece, yet here, they serve as a backdrop for royal display. The overall composition invites us to reflect on the cyclical nature of power and the enduring human need for symbols of authority.