The Nike of Samothrace
30 April 2025
(c 190 BC) This iconic statue from ancient Greece is also known as the Winged Victory. It depicts the Greek goddess Nike, the personification of victory. The statue stood in the sanctuary for the Great Gods (Theoi Megaloi) on the small island of Samothrace in the Aegean Sea. The sculpture shows the goddess with her wings spread, while standing on the prow of a ship.
The right wing of the statue, as now on display in the Louvre, was later reconstructed. Originally, the statue was vividly coloured, like almost all statues of the time.
With its theatrical quality, the Nike of Samothrace has inspired countless artists over the centuries. (GRE10 – h. 27 cm., GRE11 – h. 43 cm.)
