Ruiterstandbeeld van Frederik de Grote, Unter den Linden, Berlijn 1870 - 1890

This is Johann Friedrich Stiehm's photograph of the equestrian statue of Frederick the Great in Berlin. Completed in 1851 by Christian Daniel Rauch, the statue quickly became a symbol of Prussian identity, embodying military strength and enlightened leadership. Stiehm’s photograph, taken later in the 19th century, reproduces and reinforces this potent symbolism. The statue is staged in front of a palace, emphasizing the Prussian state’s power. The high vantage point and the detail of the photograph allows the viewer to fully take in the elevated status of the leader. To understand the statue's original impact, one might consider the history of Prussian militarism or study the biographies of those represented on the pedestal. Stiehm’s photograph offers a fascinating insight into how public monuments become integral to national identity, and the role of photography in disseminating such images.