Sculptuur van Victoria 1851 - 1900

This is an anonymous photograph of a sculpture of Victoria, located here at the Rijksmuseum. The photograph captures a marble statue of the Roman goddess Victoria, an allegorical figure of victory, adapted from a sculpture by Christian Daniel Rauch. In this image, Victoria embodies an idealized and gendered form of victory, reminiscent of classical sculptures. Consider the historical context in which this image was created and consumed; the statue’s representation of triumph may have resonated deeply in a society grappling with issues of power, nationalism, and gender roles. What did victory mean for those included in the dominant narratives of the time, and what did it mean for those excluded? Ultimately, the image invites reflection on how historical representations of power intersect with gender, identity, and cultural memory. It challenges us to question whose victories are celebrated and whose stories are left untold.