Greek and Hellenistic Art: The Winged Victory of Samothrace

October 27, 2017


The Winged Victory of Samothrace (Nike of Samothrace), is a marble Hellenistic sculpture of the goddess of Victory, Nike, that was created about the 2nd century B.C. The goddess is shown in the form of a winged woman standing on the prow of a ship, braced against the strong wind blowing through her garments. The statue is made of white Paros marble, and it stands 2.75 m (9 feet) tall, including the wings. 

The Victory is wearing a long chiton, or tunic, of fine cloth, that falls in folds to her feet. To shorten the skirts, the cloth is gathered by a belt, hidden by the folds which hang over the hips. The chiton is held in place by a second belt beneath the breasts.

The garment’s flowing lines are portrayed with great virtuosity. The fabric over the stomach and the left thigh is shot over with wrinkles that seem to skim over the skin underneath. The light cloth is bunched in narrow folds on the figure’s sides, while the front of the left leg is carved with surface incisions to create an effect of light fabric drapery.

The handling of the chiton is in striking contrast with the thick, deeply carved draped folds of the cloak or himation, which covers part of the chiton. The sophisticated form of the folds of the cloak becomes clear when the outside and inside are highlighted in blue and red, following the folds of the cloth.

The himation, worn wrapped in a roll round the waist, has worked loose at the figure’s left hip. A large gathering of folds have slipped between the figure’s legs, leaving the left hip and leg uncovered. The right hip and leg are covered to half-way down the calf. The cloak has swept open, with a fold of cloth streaming out behind the figure, so that we see the inside of the cloth. The unfastened cloak is held against the Victory’s body by the sheer force of the wind.

- ("A closer look at the Victory of Samothrace")
The Winged Victory of Samothrace is considered to be one of the greatest sculpture during the Hellenistic period. Sculptors during that time were able to portray softness in their sculptures, as can be seen in the garment the goddess is wearing. The nude female body is revealed by the transparency of the wet drapery, much in the manner of classical works from the fifth century B.C.



Reference
Marie-Bénédicte, A. (n.d.). The Winged Victory of Samothrace. Retrieved October 27, 2017, from http://www.louvre.fr/en/oeuvre-notices/winged-victory-samothrace

A closer look at the Victory of Samothrace. (n.d.). Retrieved October 27, 2017, from http://musee.louvre.fr/oal/victoiredesamothrace/victoiredesamothrace_acc_en.html


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