Ruiterstandbeeld van Frederik de Grote voor het Altes Palais in Berlijn 1860 - 1862

This is a stereo card photograph of the equestrian statue of Frederick the Great in front of the Altes Palais in Berlin, Germany. The photograph speaks to the politics of imagery in 19th-century Europe. Monuments like this one were powerful tools for shaping national identity and reinforcing social hierarchies. Equestrian statues, in particular, were traditionally associated with royalty and military prowess, visually linking Frederick the Great to a long lineage of powerful rulers. The statue was erected during a period of intense nation-building in Germany. It served as a focal point for public gatherings and celebrations, reinforcing a sense of shared history and culture. The photograph was produced and circulated commercially, making the statue and the ideas it represented accessible to a wide audience. The image offers valuable insights into the social and institutional contexts of 19th-century Germany. By consulting historical archives, newspapers, and other period documents, we can gain a deeper understanding of the statue’s intended meaning and its impact on the German public.