Beeldengroep Départ des volontaires de 1792 op de Arc de Triomphe te Parijs 1851 - 1853

This photograph by Charles Marville captures a sculpture on the Arc de Triomphe, an allegorical scene of French volunteers departing in 1792. Above the soldiers, a winged figure, likely representing Victory or Liberty, urges them forward, her outstretched arm a gesture of encouragement and divine blessing. Consider the recurring motif of the winged figure – a visual echo resonating through history. We see it in ancient Greek depictions of Nike, the goddess of victory, or the Roman Victoria, each embodying triumph and divine favor. This symbol transcends cultures, appearing even in religious contexts as angels, messengers of God. The subconscious pull of this image, rooted in centuries of associating wings with power and freedom, engages viewers on a primal level. The raised arm, too, speaks volumes. From religious art depicting blessings to revolutionary propaganda rallying the masses, this gesture embodies authority, guidance, and the promise of a better future. Through Marville's lens, we see how these symbols—inherited from the past—are reborn in new contexts, carrying both their original weight and fresh layers of meaning.