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| Nike of Samothrace Hellenistic Greek sculpture (240-190 BC) Louvre, Paris |
This is the Nike of Samothrace. It is my all-time favorite sculpture. It dates back to the Hellenistic period in Greek art, created by an unknown sculptor around 190-240 b.c.e. Isn't it just amazing?
This piece was originally part of a temple complex on the island of Samothrace and was installed on a pedestal representing the prow of a warship. It was created to honor the goddess Nike as well as a naval victory by Rhodes, then a powerful maritime state in the Aegean. The pose conveys a sense of action and triumph as well as displaying flowing drapery. Capturing the moment of her landing on the prow of a ship, the goddess struggles against the wind to keep herself steady. This pose utilizes a deliberate relationship to the imaginary space surrounding it, creating more drama and heightening the symbolic nature of the piece. The wind and the sea in the imaginary space suggest metaphors of struggle, destiny and divine help or grace. This kind of interplay between statue and imaginary space is commonly found in baroque and romantic art, but is a very rare find in ancient art.
It is stunning.
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| another magnificent view |
Did you know that Nike in Greek means victory, and not shoes, like several of my fellow art history classmates thought? Although a lesser known goddess, she was extremely powerful and the one everyone wanted on their side when they went into battle, for when her presence was shown, usually towards the end of a battle, it indicated who would be victorious.
The Nike is currently held by the Louvre, in Paris. Someday, I'm going to see it in person. Until that day comes, the replica at Caesar's Palace in Las Vegas will have to do!
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| The closest I may ever get to my favorite sculpture... Ceasar's Palace. |
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