The winged victory of samothrace

The Winged Victory of Samothrace, ca. 190 BCE. | Victoria de Samotracia, ca. 190 a.C. Photos will never do it justice.

The Winged Victory of Samothrace, also called the Nike of Samothrace, is a 2nd-century BC marble sculpture of the Greek goddess Nike (Victory). Since 1884, it has been prominently displayed at the Louvre and is one of the most celebrated sculptures in the world. H.W. Janson described it as "the greatest masterpiece of Hellenistic sculpture."

The Nike of Samothrace, c. 190 BCE. The statue was dedicated to the Great Gods at the sanctuary on Samothrace. (Louvre Museum, Paris)

“Detail of the Winged Victory of Samothrace, also known as Nike of Samothrace, a Hellenistic Greek statue dated to the 2nd century BCE. Parian marble. Currently located in the Louvre.”

The Winged Victory of Samothrace (the Nike of Samothrace)

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The Winged Victory of Samothrace

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The Winged Victory of Samothrace, (Nike of Samothrace) is a 2nd-century BC marble sculpture of the Greek goddess Nike (Victory). H.W. Janson described it as "the greatest masterpiece of Hellenistic sculpture." It was created to not only honor the goddess, Nike, but to honor a sea battle.Modern excavations suggest that the Victory occupied a niche in an open-air theater and also suggest it accompanied an altar that was within view of the ship monument of Demetrius I Poliorcetes (337–283 BC).