What happened to Winged Victory of Samothrace head?
In 1884, the statue is entirely restored by the Louvre for the first time – bust, wings and bow included. What is this? To this day, her head and arms remain lost, though American archeologists discovered her hand in 1950, which is also exhibited in the museum.
What is the Winged Victory of Samothrace made of?
Parian marbleWinged Victory of Samothrace / MediumParian marble is a fine-grained semi translucent pure-white and entirely flawless marble quarried during the classical era on the Greek island of Paros in the Aegean Sea. It was highly prized by ancient Greeks for making sculptures. Wikipedia
Was the Winged Victory of Samothrace painted?
While it is now plain white marble, the statue, like all ancient Greek and Roman marble sculptures, would have originally been brightly painted, and traces of pigment have been found on the statue. The right wing is a modern replica.
Why is Winged Victory so famous?
The Winged Victory of Samothrace is one of the rare Greek statues whose exact original location is known. It was made as an offering to the gods for a sanctuary on the Greek island of Samothrace. Placed at a height, people could see her from afar.
Is Nike the goddess of victory?
Nike was the winged goddess of victory. Athletes who wanted to win worshipped her. Even today, she has some significance to athletes.
Did the Winged Victory have a head?
It is a masterpiece of Greek sculpture from the Hellenistic era, dating from the beginning of the 2nd century BCE. It is composed of a statue representing the goddess Niké (Victory), whose head and arms are missing, and its base in the shape of a ship's bow.
Where was the Nike statue found?
island of SamothraceOne of the most revered artworks of Hellenistic Greek art, the Nike has been on display in the Louvre since 1866. The statue was brought to France by Charles Champoiseau, who found it in pieces during excavations on the island of Samothrace in 1863.
What is a headless statue called?
Agora (sculpture) - Wikipedia.
What does Winged Victory symbolize?
The 18-foot sculpture depicts Nike, the Greek goddess of victory. As wet and wind-blown drapery clings to her body, the winged figure triumphantly steps toward the front of a ship, leading historians to conclude that it was created to commemorate a successful sea battle.
What is the meaning of Samothrace?
Samothrace. / (ˈsæməˌθreɪs) / noun. a Greek island in the NE Aegean Sea: mountainous.
Where is Samothrace located today?
northern Aegean SeaSamothrace, Modern Greek Samothráki, Greek island in the northern Aegean Sea off the Thracian coast. It forms a dímos (municipality) in the East Macedonia and Thrace (Modern Greek: Anatolikí Makedonía kai Thrakí) periféreia (region).
Why is the Nike of Samothrace important?
What makes the Nike of Samothrace so significant is that it is one of the few surviving examples of original Hellenistic sculpture, rather than a Roman copy. Despite its incomplete survival, in mastery, it rivals the pediments of the Athenian Parthenon and the Great Altar of Pergamon.
Where was the Nike of Samothrace made?
Sanctuary of the Great Gods on Samothrace The Nike of Samothrace was originally erected as a military victory monument in the Sanctuary of the Great Gods (Theoi Megaloi) on Samothrace, a small island in the northern Aegean Sea.
What materials made up the real statue of Athena Parthenos?
Phidias completed the Lemnian Athena between 451-448 BCE. The massive chryselephantine cult statue, Athena Parthenos, was made out of gold and ivory and measured 12 meters in height. The goddess was depicted as standing, wearing a tunic, aegis, and a helmet and holding a Nike in her right hand and a spear in her left.
When was the Winged Victory of Samothrace made?
190 BCWinged Victory of Samothrace / Created
Who made the Nike of Samothrace?
Demetrius PoliocretesNow housed at the Louvre Museum, it is not known who made the Winged Victory of Samothrace, but it is believed to have been ordered to be built by Demetrius Poliocretes sometime between 295 and 290 BC. It is a Hellenistic-era Greek sculptural masterwork and depicts the goddess Nike.
When was the victory of Samothrace discovered?
The context of the Winged Victory of Samothrace, discovered in 1863, is controversial, with proposals ranging from the Battle of Salamis in 306 BC to the Battle of Actium in 31 BC as the event being celebrated. Datings based on stylistic evaluation have been equally variable, ranging across the same three centuries, but perhaps tending to an earlier date. For much of the 20th century, the prevailing theory, based on the works of Hermann Thiersch and Karl Leo Heinrich Lehmann, considered it a Rhodian monument dedicated following the victories at Side and Myonessos in 190 BC, and suggested that it might have been carved by the Rhodian sculptor Pythocritus. However, by the mid-2010s, the reconstructions of the monument proposed by Lehmann have been shown to be false (the remains of the surrounding space that housed the Victory belong to the Roman period), and the question of why the statue was dedicated on Samothrace, which at the time was dominated by the Kingdom of Macedonia, remains unanswered.
How much did the Louvre raise to renovate the sculpture of Samothrace?
Retrieved 2018-01-19. As officials of the Louvre in Paris seek to raise another one million euros to renovate the famed sculpture Winged Victory of Samothrace that was stolen off that Greek island by a Frenchman in the 19th Century, Greece has asked for its return.
What is the closest artistic parallel to Nike of Samothrace?
The evidence for a Rhodian commission of the statue has been questioned, however, and the closest artistic parallel to the Nike of Samothrace are figures depicted on Macedonian coins.
What is the Victory statue?
Despite its significant damage and incompleteness, the Victory is held to be one of the great surviving masterpieces of sculpture from the Hellenistic Period, and from the entire Greco-Roman era. The statue shows a mastery of form and movement which has impressed critics and artists since its discovery. It is considered one of the Louvre's greatest treasures, and since the late 19th century it has been displayed in the most dramatic fashion, at the head of the sweeping Daru staircase.
What is Nike's right wing?
Nike of Samothrace, Smarthistory. The statue's outstretched right wing is a symmetric plaster version of the original left one. The stylistic portrayal of the wings is a source of scholarly discussion, as the feather pattern resembles neither the wings of birds in nature nor wings in Greek art.
Why was the winged victory removed?
In the autumn of 1939, the Winged Victory was removed from her perch in anticipation of the outbreak of World War II. All the museums of Paris were closed on August 25. Artwork and objects were packed for removal to locations deemed safer outside Paris for safekeeping. On the night of September 3, the statue descended the staircase on a wooden ramp which was constructed across the steps. During the years of World War II, the statue was sheltered in safety in the Château de Valençay along with the Venus de Milo and Michelangelo's Slaves.
What is the greatest masterpiece of Hellenistic sculpture?
Janson described it as "the greatest masterpiece of Hellenistic sculpture". The sculpture is one of a small number of major Hellenistic statues surviving in the original, rather than Roman copies. Only Winged Victory 's right wing is not original, and was added by mirroring the left wing.
Where was the Victory statue made?
Freer ordered a plaster cast made from the original Victory, an ancient statue in the Louvre Museum in Paris. Then Freer had the cast of Victory exhibited next to Thayer’s painting, so that the poses of the two figures could be compared. Freer subsequently gave the plaster cast of Victory to the university.
When was the winged victory given to the University High School?
In June 1928, the regents accepted the Winged Victory as a gift to the University High School from the high school’s class of 1928. How the class of 1928 came to be in a position to give the university a statue it seemingly already owned is unknown.
Why is the Louvre statue on the cliff?
The statue stood on a cliff overlooking the sea, placed to commemorate a naval victory. It was acquired by the Louvre in the late 19th century. The plaster cast obtained by Freer was exhibited in the apsidal east end of Alumni Memorial Hall through the 1920s.
What is the most beautiful statue in the world?
Victory was very early in ancient times depicted as a winged female figure, and the one from Samothrace is generally considered the most beautiful, powerful, and majestic; it was made of marble and set on a large stone pedestal in the shape of a ship’s prow.
Discovery of the Nike of Samothrace Statue in the 19th Century
From the 6th of March until the 7th of May, 1863, Charles Champoiseau, operating in command of the Consulate of France, conducted the excavation of the remnants of the Sanctuary of the Great Gods on Samothrace Island.
Restorations in the 20th century
In 1924 the Winged Victory of Samothrace display was changed as part of a comprehensive renovation of the Daru Museum and stairway, whose stairs were expanded and renovated.
21st Century Restorations of the Winged Victory of Samothrace
From 2008 to 2014, an American team digitized the whole sanctuary in order to enable 3D restoration. Continuation of the research of the Victory perimeter and the modest basic parts maintained in preservation started in 2013 and 2014, under the leadership of B. D. Wescoat.
Description of the Winged Victory of Samothrace
The statue, made of white Parian marble, shows Nike, a winged lady, landing on the bow of a vessel. Nike wears a long garment of a beautiful cloth with folded flaps and a belted beneath the breast. Two small straps held it to the shoulders.
The Function of the Nike of Samothrace Statue
The devout presented their ex-votos at the sanctuary, ranging from the simplest to the most luxurious according to their riches. It was a way to honor the gods and express gratitude for their blessings.
Dating of the Winged Victory of Samothrace
The sculpture’s dedication inscription has not been discovered. Archaeologists are forced to speculate in order to establish the historical context and discover the naval victory that justifies the creation of such a significant ex-voto. The problem is that in the second and third century BCE.
The Workshop and Style of the Statue
Despite the fact that the alleged dedication inscription of a Rhodian’s name located at the Victory’s base was swiftly questioned due to its modest size, the whole monument was credited to the Rhodian sculptural school. This put an end to any prior reservations regarding the statue’s design.
Why is there a statue of Samothrace?
Due to the popularity of the cult, and its connection to protection at sea, it makes sense that a military leader would have dedicated a monument commemorating a naval victory at Samothrace. The triumphant commander would have proclaimed his victory before an international audience, including perhaps those he defeated. The dedicatory inscription, which most votive statues in Greek sanctuaries included, has not survived, so it is unknown who dedicated the statue or what victory it commemorated.
What was the Nike of Samothrace statue made of?
The Nike herself is made of a white Parian marble, which was revered as a superior material for sculpture, and exported throughout the Mediterranean. Lartian marble was much less commonly used, and we see it primarily in monuments on Rhodes or commissioned by Rhodians. In addition, the amount of marble used in the Nike of Samothrace was large, weighing around 30 tons, and would have been a full shipload on a typical merchant ship. Given the cost to ship the marble from Rhodes, it was likely specially ordered and intended to make a statement, connecting it to the Rhodians.
Where is Nike of Samothrace?
The Nike of Samothrace was originally erected as a military victory monument in the Sanctuary of the Great Gods (Theoi Megaloi) on Samothrace, a small island in the northern Aegean Sea. While the permanent population of the island was relatively small, an influx of worshippers regularly descended upon Samothrace to participate in religious rites hosted by the sanctuary, especially in the Hellenistic and Roman periods when the sanctuary was at its height of popularity. The cult of the Great Gods was a mystery religion, meaning that worshippers needed to be initiated into the cult before they were allowed to participate, and the rites were kept secret from everyone except the initiates. Since secrecy was so central to the cult, modern scholars do not know exactly what was involved in the rituals. However, we do know that the cult promised its initiates safety at sea and personal moral benefit.
Where did the winged victory of Samothrace come from?
The exact origins of the Winged Victory of Samothrace are not known. However, archaeologists and art historians have extensively studied the sculpture in order to estimate its age, intention, and subject matter. According to the Louvre, the piece was likely crafted by the people of Rhodes, a Greek island, in the early second century BCE.
Who discovered the winged victory?
Discovery. French diplomat and amateur archaeologist Charles Champoiseau unearthed the Winged Victory in April of 1863. While he reassembled 23 blocks that compose the ship, he sent the figure back to Paris just as he found it: in three pieces.
What is the Louvre's most famous collection?
The Winged Victory of Samothrace (Photo: muratart' via Shutterstock) It's no secret that the Louvre has one of the world's most stunning collections of art. In addition to the Mona Lisa and an entire Michelangelo Gallery, the major museum also excels in antiquities, with gems that include a Great Sphinx, the Venus de Milo, ...
What did the Victory hold in her right hand?
“It has been suggested that the Victory held a trumpet, a wreath, or a fillet in her right hand,” The Louvre explains.
Which sculptures demonstrate the classical approach to conveying the human body?
Other famous sculptures that demonstrate this classical approach to conveying the human body are The Walking Man by Rodin and Michelangelo's David. The Winged Victory of Samothrace (Photo: muratart via Shutterstock) Another element that helps suggest movement is the billowing fabric draped across the figure's body.
Where is the left wing of the Louvre?
The base, torso, legs, and left wing eventually reached the Louvre, where they were reassembled in the Carytid Room of classical antiquities. The museum also added a plaster wing to the sculpture—an addition that remains today—but did not opt to recreate the head or arms.
Where was Nike's right hand found?
However, nearly 90 years after Champoiseau discovered the fragmented figure, archaeologists from Austria uncovered missing pieces, including Nike's right hand. Unfortunately, the hand had no way of being reattached to the sculpture, as the figure remained armless.
How tall is the winged victory of Samothrace?
Looking at the Winged Victory of Samothrace from afar is already impressive by the sheer grandeur of this five meter high sculpture, especially enhanced by the architectural frame the Louvre offers it ; but looking at it more closely is even more astonishing.
Why is the winged victory of Samothrace important?
The Winged Victory of Samothrace is thus believed to be one of them, thanking the Gods after a naval victory .
What is the victory of Samothrace?
Fact n°1 : The Victory of Samothrace is a monument celebrating a naval victory. The Greeks started very early on to represent concepts such as Peace, Justice or Revenge under the form of female figures. Victory – Niké in Ancient Greek – is one of these allegories, taking the shape of a winged goddess, sometimes blowing a trumpet.
Why was Samothrace important to ancient Greece?
Throughout Ancient Greece, Samothrace was especially known for its Sanctuary of the Great Gods, where many pilgrims would come to receive an initiation hoping to obtain divine protection. The Great Gods were particularly considered as benefactors for sailors and it was believed that invoking them would keep the risk of shipwrecks at bay and favor naval victories.
What is the significance of the victory of Samothrace?
The Victory of Samothrace thus welcomed generation after generation of visitors and became one of the Louvre’s most emblematic pieces of art , next to Mona Lisa and the Venus de Milo. As such, it left a mark on popular culture.
When was the statue of Samothrace restored?
In 1884, the statue is entirely restored by the Louvre for the first time – bust, wings and bow included. Sculpture of Samothrace in the Louvre, image sourced from Wikimedia Commons. To this day, her head and arms remain lost, though American archeologists discovered her hand in 1950, which is also exhibited in the museum.
Where is the Samothrace sculpture?
Sculpture of Samothrace in the Louvre, image sourced from Pixabay. Picture yourself in the Louvre, discovering the vast and rich Antiquity collections, venturing through Pharaonic Egypt, Ancient Greece then Ancient Rome, making your way up to the first floor to resume your journey in the past, and suddenly, stopping and staring because here she is: ...
Overview
The Winged Victory of Samothrace, or the Nike of Samothrace, is a votive monument originally found on the island of Samothrace, north of the Aegean Sea. It is a masterpiece of Greek sculpture from the Hellenistic era, dating from the beginning of the 2nd century BCE. It is composed of a statue representing the goddess Niké (Victory), whose head and arms are missing, and its base in the shape of a ship's bow.
Discovery and restorations
In 1863, Charles Champoiseau (1830–1909), acting in charge of the Consulate of France in Adrianopolis (now Edirne in Turkey), undertook from March 6 to May 7 the exploration of the ruins of the sanctuary of the Great Gods on the island of Samothrace. On April 13, 1863, he discovered part of the bust and the body of a large female statue in white marble accompanied by numerous fragments of drapery and feathers. He recognised this as the goddess Niké, Victory, traditionall…
Description
The statue, in white Parian marble, depicts a winged woman, the goddess of Victory (Nikè), alighting on the bow of a warship.
The Nike is dressed in a long tunic (chitôn) in a very fine fabric, with a folded flap and belted under the chest. It was attached to the shoulders by two thin straps (the restoration is not accurate). The lower body is partially covered by a thick mantle (himation) rolled up at the waist and untie …
Architectural context
The sanctuary of the Great Gods of Samothrace is located in a very narrow river valley. The buildings reserved for the Mysteries ceremonies occupied the entire bottom of the valley. From the 3rd century BCE, the entrance to the site was a monumental propylaia to the east. To the west was a very long portico to house pilgrims (the stoa) and important offerings. The Victory Monument was located at the south end of the portico terrace, in a rectangular space dug into t…
Function, date and style
In the sanctuary of the Great Gods of Samothrace, as in all the great pan-Hellenic shrines, the faithful offered their ex-votos, from the most modest to the most sumptuous according to their wealth. It was a way to honour the gods and thank them for their benefits. In addition to a promise of a better spiritual life, the Cabeiri gods, including the Dioscuri, were reputed to ensure their protection to those who were initiated into their Mysteries if they were in danger at sea and in co…
See also
• Nike of Paionios
Notes
1. ^ Janson, H.W. (1995) History of Art. 5th edn. Revised and expanded by Anthony F. Janson. London: Thames & Hudson, pp. 157–158. ISBN 0500237018
2. ^ In Greek the statue is called the Níki tis Samothrákis (Νίκη της Σαμοθράκης) and in French la Victoire de Samothrace. There are two further statues of Winged Victory of a different type found in the Samothrace temple complex, originally having adorned the roof of one of the temples: a Roman copy found by a team of Austr…
Bibliography
• Badoud, Nathan (2018). "La Victoire de Samothrace, défaite de Philippe V". Revue Archéologique. 66 (2): 279–306. doi:10.3917/arch.182.0279.
• Basch, Victor (1986). Le musée imaginaire de la marine antique.
• Champoiseau, Charles (1880). "La Victoire de Samothrace". Revue Archéologique (1).
Discovery of The Nike of Samothrace Statue in The 19th Century
Restorations in The 20th Century
21st Century Restorations of Thewinged Victory of Samothrace
Description of Thewinged Victory of Samothrace
- The statue, made of white Parian marble, shows Nike, a winged lady, landing on the bow of a vessel. Nike wears a long garment of a beautiful cloth with folded flaps and a belted beneath the breast. Two small straps held it to the shoulders. The lower body is partly concealed by a thick mantle, which is rolled up at the waistline and unties when the...
The Function of Thenike of Samothrace Statue
Dating of The Winged Victory of Samothrace
The Workshop and Style of The Statue