Zicht op het koninklijk paleis van Napels 1846

Philippe Benoist made this print of the royal palace in Naples. The equestrian statue prominently displayed in the foreground has roots extending back to antiquity, symbolizing power and authority. The mounted figure—be it Marcus Aurelius in Rome or a condottiero in Renaissance Italy—reappears across time, each instance echoing the last. The horse, a vital partner, becomes an extension of the ruler's will. Consider how this potent symbol, laden with the weight of tradition, resonates deeply in our collective psyche. It evokes feelings of stability, strength, and command. The symbol’s non-linear journey has been adapted, revised, and re-contextualized, yet the core message of leadership persists through the ages.