The initial idea behind the digital reconstruction of this sculpture was modest and personal in nature: it was conceived as a gift for a friend and partner. Over time, however, the work revealed a far greater potential. What began as a technical task of creating a 3D model gradually transformed into an in-depth artistic and analytical engagement with a major work of 19th-century sculpture. The project evolved into a conscious dialogue with classical form, composition, and narrative.

To study the sculpture and the craftsmanship of Albert Wolff in detail, a wide range of sources was employed. These included historical descriptions, archival and contemporary photographs, as well as modern photogrammetry. Technology made it possible to capture the overall geometry, proportions, and structural rhythm of the sculpture with a high degree of accuracy. At the same time, the it has inherent limitations: it does not naturally produce smooth surfaces, and many fine sculptural details tend to be lost or replaced by surface textures and noise.

For this reason, manual digital sculpting became a crucial part of the process. By combining photogrammetric data with carefully applied digital sculpting, it was possible not merely to reconstruct the form, but to closely examine the sculptor’s hand - to understand how Wolff worked with muscular tension, transitions of volume, and the balance between dynamic movement and compositional stability. Taken together, the 3D model and the sculptural overlays allowed for a close examination of every detail of the work, including elements that often escape the viewer’s eye when encountering the statue in situ, in front of the museum.

Importantly, the goal of the project was never to produce an exact, literal copy of the original. On the contrary, a deliberate artistic decision was made to introduce changes, primarily affecting the face of the central figure - the lion fighter himself. In the original sculpture, his facial expression is strikingly calm, almost detached from the violence of the scene. This can be interpreted as a manifestation of a Nordic or classical stoicism: composure, inner control, and the quiet dominance of man over beast.

Yet a closer reading of the scene reveals a powerful contradiction. The moment depicted is one of extreme danger: the warrior is attempting to deliver a final blow, while the lion is already tearing into the flank of the horse with its claws. The outcome of the struggle is far from certain. The man’s body is naked and unarmored, exposed and vulnerable, heightening the sense of risk. This is not a moment of serene triumph, but a split second of maximum tension.