Ruiterstandbeeld van Pollux in Turijn c. 1870 - 1885

This photograph by Giovanni Battista Maggi captures the equestrian statue of Pollux in Turin. The statue, rendered in monochromatic tones, dominates the frame, and the composition is structured around the dynamic interaction between horse and rider. The statue's materiality is emphasized through the play of light and shadow, accentuating the texture of the sculpture. The horse, caught mid-stride, and the rider are positioned to create a sense of forward motion. This formal arrangement may evoke a feeling of classical heroism and dynamic energy. Considered through a semiotic lens, the horse and rider can be seen as signs carrying cultural codes of power, nobility, and classical ideals. The statue's design and the photograph’s composition reflect an engagement with the representation of authority. The interplay of form and content invites us to reconsider fixed meanings associated with historical symbols. The photograph’s enduring quality lies in its ability to capture the statue’s formal structure, but it also opens up layers of interpretation regarding cultural and philosophical meanings.