Andrew Jackson, the hero of the Battle of New Orleans, has been doffing his hat in Jackson Square since 1856. It is one of several such statues still standing around the country. (One of them can be seen just opposite the White House in Washington’s Lafayette Park.) Sculptor Clark Mills worked on this statue when Jackson was still alive. The former US President even came down to New Orleans to lay the cornerstone of its pedestal, but died before the statue was completed. The statue is most often photographed in full gallop, and pictures of it usually include a view of the famous St. Louis Cathedral in the background. I take a different approach here, limiting the scope of my image to only the head and neck of the rearing horse, along with Jackson himself. I did so because the late afternoon light seemed to be also sculpting Jackson and his horse. The play of light and shadow brings energy and expression of its own to the scene. I chose to stress that here, rather than just describe the appearance of the subject. Meanwhile, I also abstract the Cathedral by concentrating on only its softly focused clock and facade. The clock’s hands stand at almost four o’clock, subtly connecting Jackson’s hat to his face. Known as Old Hickory, Jackson looks supremely confident here as he basks in the afternoon sun -- he seems to sense that his place in history is firmly intact.