Standbeeld van Frederik Willem I van Brandenburg te paard op de Lange Brücke, Berlijn 1868 - 1870

Curator: This stereoscopic print captures the "Statue of Frederick William I of Brandenburg on Horseback on the Lange Brücke, Berlin," dating between 1868 and 1870, photographed by Johann Friedrich Stiehm. Editor: It strikes me as formally rigid, almost militaristic. The repeated forms of the architecture and bridge are quite visually assertive. Curator: Indeed, the formal structure reinforces the themes of power and authority so often intertwined with equestrian statues. The figure of Frederick William I atop his steed, overlooking the cityscape, symbolizes dominance. Editor: Consider also that the statue itself is mounted on a plinth decorated with martial figures. Look closely at the way they flank the horse, a clear indication of strength. Curator: It’s also important to remember the political climate. In this period Prussia was consolidating its power, culminating in the formation of the German Empire just a year later, in 1871. Images such as this served to cement notions of national identity and strength, promoting a collective memory. Editor: What's particularly intriguing to me is the duality embedded within it: this imposing display of control coexisting with what, in contrast, feels almost like mundane domestic life on the Kurfürstenbrücke in the lower register, where individuals can be seen strolling on the bridge. Curator: Precisely. Stiehm seems to juxtapose the symbol of the ruling Prussian monarchy with the everyday lives of the Berliners. This allows a reading of the work not just as pure propaganda, but as a record of social complexity and urban reality. Editor: The statue, a symbol of old power, literally elevated above the burgeoning modernity of 19th-century Berlin. This photograph really highlights those intersecting narratives. Curator: An interesting observation – a layered cityscape of symbolic assertion and observational objectivity. Editor: The visual composition provides clear insight into 19th century Germany through powerful symbols.