Bamberg Rider, c.1230

The Bamberg Rider (Bamberger Reiter), a celebrated sculpture of c.1230 in Bamberg Cathedral. The first monumental equestrian sculpture created since antiquity, the statue depicts a crowned, unarmed man looking out sideways from his horse. The man's identity is unknown; suggestions have included Constantine the Great, Charlemagne (first Holy Roman Emperor), Henry II (founder of the cathedral), Stephen I (patron saint of Hungary and brother of Henry), Frederick II (Holy Roman Emperor at the the time), and the apocalyptic figure of Revelation 19. Bamberg Cathedral, Bavaria, Germany. Bamberg Cathedral, Bamberg, Germany.