Winged Victory

Nike Winged Victory of Samothrace
Favorite. Favorite. Favorite.
A while ago, I said I would make a post about this piece. Because I LOVE IT, and why I Love it seems to need some explaining. :)  So I'm going to explain. Finally. (I know I promised I would a couple months ago.)

First, just look at it.  It is beautiful, in and of itself, is it not?

I think so. Anyway, let's break it down.

BACKGROUND: I think I should probably include a little bit of historical/cultural info.  The Nike is the Greek goddess of victory, usually shown in art next to Athena, the Greek goddess of wisdom and war and the patron for the capitol city, Athens. When these two goddesses are shown in a work, it is to symbolize the support of the gods in whatever battle is being shown.  The Nike also indicates that the hero was successful, or victorious - hence, victory. Go figure. :)
In this portrayal, Nike is not next to Athena, but is alone. Just Nike. Victory.  She was originally placed on the front of a battle ship.  Putting her there is a way of praying for her help in the upcoming battle, so that they could be victorious.


CARVING: This is made of marble.  Imagining the process of carving that tough stuff just boggles my mind regardless of anything else I know and Love about this statue. This marble is carved so realistically, it almost makes me forget that this was originally a clump of rock.
First of all, the cloth, or drapery.  This is arguably my favorite part of the whole work.  Not only does it look convincingly like folded cloth, but it is cloth that is blowing in the wind, and looks WET. (Wet drape is a characteristic trait of High Classical art, by the way.) How this was done, I don't know, but it's amazing.  AND it makes sense because she is on the front of a ship, where it would be wet and windy. Coincidence? I think not.
Next, the wings. Oh my goodness, the wings.  This lower image is a fairly good picture of them.  The way they are carved makes the light fall on them just so, and it gives them LIFE.  I don't have much to say about the wings, other than they are just beautiful.
And the skin.  It doesn't look like rock, it looks like it has the texture of flesh. It looks soft. Wow.

AND SO: (ya, creative little subtitle there, I know.)
Nike is flying at the front of a ship, ready to support her loyal troops in battle.

Her wings are spread,
the wind is flowing through her dress,
she is stepping forward in anticipation,
she looks like she could be flying, though she is made of stone.

I really wish I knew who the artist of this was so I can thank him/her for it in the afterlife.  Maybe someday I will know.
This is absolutely beautiful. Ah, I just can't describe how much I Love it.

Hope you enjoyed this. I feel quite happy.
Thank you,
Kiki