The Greeks turned out to be very resourceful in their idea of depicting Victory in the form of a winged woman. Today this image is known throughout the world.
Gorgeous Nike of Samothrace, ancient Greek marble sculpture goddess of victory - one of the most valuable exhibits Louvre. It was found on the island of Samothraki on the territory of the Kabiri sanctuary in April 1863 by the French consul and amateur archaeologist Charles Champoiseau. That same year she was sent to France. Currently, the Nike of Samothrace is located on the Daru staircase of the Denon gallery in the Louvre. The statue is made of Parian marble, the ship is made of gray Larthian marble (Rhodes), the right wing is a plaster reconstruction. The head and arms of the statue are missing.
Winged Nika one of the most beautiful statues of the Hellenistic era. The sculpture of the goddess of victory was erected on the island of Samothrace in memory of the naval victory of the Greeks over the fleet of the Syrian king. The figure of the goddess stood on a high cliff above the sea on a pedestal in the shape of the bow of a warship. The powerful and majestic Nika, in clothes fluttering in the wind, is presented in an unstoppable movement forward. The confident step of the goddess and the proud flapping of her wings give rise to a feeling of triumphant victory.
She is different, depending on where you look at her from, but always - flying, winged Nike. Unfortunately, the head and hands of the statue were not found. But how wonderful is what, fortunately, was found! The master makes you feel the strong sea wind blowing towards Nike, strong gusts who is excited by the folds of the goddess’s clothing, outline the beautiful shapes of her figure and make the edge of her cloak swirl. Sea element, strong wind, the vast expanses are embodied in the plastic forms of the statue.
To take a good and correct look Nike of Samothrace, you need to approach it slowly, and, without taking your eyes off, go around to the right and left. If time permits, you should return to it in the evening and admire it again. Under the influence of strong spotlights, marble begins to glow and acquires amazing transparency.
None of the works of ancient sculpture makes a stronger impression. Nika seems to be a wonderful symbol of a person’s aspiration to the future. This impression is enhanced by the fact that the statue is beautifully displayed. She stands alone on the landing, against the backdrop of an ascetically bare wall. Wide, calm steps rise up to it measuredly. People around Nika seem small. The goddess hovers above them and at the same time is directed towards them. She announces victory and is herself its inspired personification.
How did he portray ancient sculptor goddess of victory? Winged Nike seemed to have just landed on the bow of the ship and was still full of impetuous movement. It is especially felt when looking at the statue on the right. The light fabric rises on the high chest, and a little lower it almost fits the body, emphasizing its slimness. Around the hips, the folds of the chiton begin to round, run over each other and, finally, frantically rush along the leg set back. They are echoed by wings and a fluttering cloak. Another moment, and Nika will fly again - you experience the same feeling when the music gradually begins to increase and freezes at a very high note. When you stand right in front of Nika, the impression changes. There is more peace and balance in the statue, but the dynamics do not disappear - the fresh wind throws back the unruly folds of clothing and sways them. Nika is ready to flap her mighty wings at any moment.
Specifics:
Nike of Samothrace
Location: Paris, Louvre
Creation time: around 190 BC
Location of discovery: Samothraki island (northern Aegean Sea)
Material: statue – Parian marble, ship – gray Latros marble
Height statues: 2.45 m.
Height with ship: 3.28 m
Code: Ma 2369
© When copying information, an active hyperlink to is required!
Did you like the article? to always be up to date with events.
Nike of Samothrace on a pedestal in the Louvre, France, Paris (Bob Hall / flickr.com) Yann Caradec / flickr.com B.Hbers / flickr.com Roger W / flickr.com Thomas Ulrich / flickr.com Henri Sivonen / flickr.com Sharon Mollerus / flickr.com Alf Melin / flickr.com
In April 1863, a marble sculpture was found on the island of Samothrace. greek goddess victories with wings - Niki from Samothrace.
This find was assigned to the French consul, as well as an amateur in archeology, Charles Champoiseau. Under his patronage, the sculpture was immediately transported to Paris, and in 1884 it took pride of place in the Louvre on the Daru staircase.
A plaster copy of the statue is kept in the Samothrace Museum in the Sanctuary of the Great Gods. This museum is located on the sculpture excavations.
“Nike of Samothrace” is an absolute masterpiece of Hellenic art, which has been preserved despite all the damage and the absence of the head and arms. The author of this work is unknown, although it is believed that he was from Rhodes.
The statue itself was created in 220-190. BC Champoise, in his first article about the sculpture, hypothesized that it was created on the orders of the Macedonian military leader Demetrius I Poliorcetes immediately after the victory in the battle at sea off the coast of Cyprus in 295-289. BC This hypothesis was supported by the Museum of Archeology in Samothrace and is inclined towards it to this day.
Not long ago, an analysis of ceramics from the latest excavations was carried out, which showed that the pedestal was created around 200 BC, but a group of archaeologists considers the true period to be 250-180 BC. BC This is due to some similarities between the Nike sculpture and the statues of the Pergamon Altar, which was created around 170 BC.
At the foot of the sculpture, fragments of an inscription containing the word “Rhodhios” (Rhodes) have been preserved. This is what explains the vision that the Nike of Samothrace was created after a naval battle in order to perpetuate the great coastal state in the Aegean - Rhodes. Therefore, the conclusion suggests itself that the Nike of Samothrace was erected before 288 BC.
According to the latest data from archaeologists, the statue was part of the altar and was attached to the stern of the monument ship of Demetrius I Poliorcetes and was located in the recess of the amphitheater. The statue is erected on a cross-shaped base made of Lartos marble gray. The author who created the figure made it seem to the beholder that the goddess was descending from heaven to the victorious flotilla.
The Nike was created from Parian marble and kept in the Sanctuary of the Great Gods. Missing right hand The maiden held a wreath or forge in her hands and was raised as on ancient coins.
Sculpture of the Nike of Samothrace in our time
The pedestal was restored from the remains of marble in 1879 and transported to Paris. In the same year, a statue was erected on it.
The right wing of the statue is a copy of the original left wing, made of plaster. Many have been excavated individual parts, for example, in 1950 the brush of Nike of Samothrace was discovered and in at the moment it is also in the Louvre. However, the head and other remains of the hands were never found.
The author created the statue with ideal forms and very harmonious. Critics and art lovers admire her to this day. Special attention is given to the naturalness of the figure, because when contemplating it, one gets the impression that the clothes on her seem to be developing from a strong sea wind.
Soon the goddess Nike became an icon of painting and artists turned to her more than once for inspiration. For example, Abbott Henderson Thayer created the world famous plagiarism painting “Virgin”. In mid-1908, the “Manifesto of Futurism” was published, in which its author Filippo Tommaso Marinetti contrasted mechanics and movement with the inanimate pictorial image of Nike: “... the roaring engine of the car works as if on grapeshot - it is much more beautiful than the sculpture of the goddess Nike.”
The best asset of the Aegean
The Nike of Samothrace is one of the most valuable original statues in the Louvre. Now it is located on the Daru staircase, or rather, at its turn, and in this place the description of inspiration in the movements of the statue is most clearly conveyed.
Nike of Samothrace in the Louvre (Yann Caradec / flickr.com)
Most people who have seen the statue consider its appearance to be supernatural and mysterious and attribute this to the absence of such important elements as the head and hands. Many times scientists considered different variations of the reconstruction of the statue and came to the conclusion that perfect image Nick will acquire when turning three quarters to the left.
Lookalikes of the Nike statue can be seen all over the world. The most famous of them is located in Las Vegas in front of the entrance to the Caesar Palace casino. Even the famous Rolls-Royce brand made a female figure on its radiator in Nicky's likeness. The first football World Cup, which was played by FIFA in 1930, is made in the image of the statue.
Reproductions of the Nike of Samothrace can be seen on the roofs of buildings designed by the architect Frank Lloyd Wright. He was very fond of the statue of the goddess Nike and therefore even his most famous works, such as Ward Willits House, Darwin D. Martin House and Storer House are crowned with her figure.
Daru staircase of the Denon gallery.
What to see: ancient Greek marble statue goddess of victory, created by an unknown sculptor around 190 BC. as a sign of Greek naval victories. Made of Parian marble, Nike stood high on a sheer cliff at the bow of a ship carved from gray Larthian marble (Rhodes). The statue of the Nike of Samothrace is the pride of the museum, and humanity has not yet created a better symbol of victory. Nike from Samothrace immediately became an icon and symbol of art. This is definitely one of the top ones creative life and one of the most famous images. Sculptors and architects turn to the image of the flying goddess; cups and emblems are cast in her form. The statue of Nike of Samothrace, depicting the goddess of victory, shows: not only gods can be immortal.
At first the statue stood in the common hall, but later it was decided to move it to the turn of the Daru staircase, which effectively emphasizes its swiftness and impetus. When a visitor climbs the steps of the Denon entrance, passing a small vestibule, he passes into the Manege. Directly in front of him stands the statue of the Nike of Samothrace. She is alone on the landing, against the backdrop of a bare, almost ascetic wall. It is best to approach this outstanding work of ancient art slowly, then walk around it without taking your eyes off it, observing how its effect on a person changes - from the swiftness of flight to the confidence of victory. If you approach Nika in the evening, you can see how, as a result of powerful spotlights, she glows and seems almost transparent.
Nika makes an indelible impression on anyone who sees her for the first time. She seems to be all directed towards the future. An unknown ancient sculptor made a motionless stone come to life. Next to Nika, every person feels very small. The goddess hovers above the surrounding space and at the same time, as if striving to meet people. She is the embodiment of victory, she proclaims it.
Nika has just landed on the bow of the warship and is still trembling all over from the uncontrollable, impetuous movement. The transparent fabric rises easily on her high chest, and below it hugs her body, slender and elastic. The folds of the chiton wrap around the goddess’s hips, mix with each other and suddenly frantically rush along the leg, which is slightly set back. Strong wings rush towards the wind, the cloak flutters, it seems that in one more moment - and Nika will take off again.
Fragments of this statue were discovered by the French amateur archaeologist Charles Chamoiseau in April 1863 on the island of Samothrace on the territory of the Cabiri sanctuary. That same year she was sent to France. After all the parts were collected, it turned out that the goddess had no head. She was never found. Already in the 20th century, in 1950, a hand made of the same marble was found not far from the excavation site. Some scientists decided that this is one of the missing fragments of the statue, others strongly disagree. Now this find is also on display in the Louvre, right behind the statue of Nike.
However, despite the fact that the goddess is devoid of head and arms, the shapes of her body are so expressive that the viewer forgets about the missing parts - such is the magic of plasticity. But still, the Louvre restorers didn’t just piece Nika together. Her right wing is skillfully sculpted from plaster, being a copy of the left one. By using computer graphics managed to reproduce both the head and hands. It is believed that the right hand, raised upward, held a cup, wreath or forge. However, it was decided not to restore them. When a plaster copy of the entire goddess was made, and it turned out that in its full form it does not produce the same effect on humans. That is why it was decided not to add the missing body parts to her. These failures in restoration force us to admit: Nika is beautiful just like that, she is perfect in her imperfection. By the way, the same story happened with the Venus de Milo, which stands in the next room. Scientists were able to reproduce lost hands goddess - and she instantly lost her mystical charm, turning into one and a number of statues similar to her.
During the Second World War, when fascist troops entered France, it was decided to remove the Louvre collection from Paris. The dungeons of old castles located in rural areas, away from military roads. Most of these castles were in a dilapidated state, which is what the bet was placed on - they say, no one would even think of looking for hidden masterpieces in the ruins. One of the last to be exported was Nike of Samothrace. They feared most of all for her, assembled from separate pieces.
Here is a quote from the diaries of the then director of the Louvre, Georges Salle:
"And so winged goddess left her “bow of the ship” made of stone, where, according to legend, the ancient Greeks, going to the enemy, erected statues of gods who promised them good luck, in order to “fly away” to the castle of Valence... in the south-east of France. To transport it, a wooden inclined bridge equipped with a frame was built from available materials.” Nika spent five years in hiding, only to return to the capital in triumph at the end of 1944, once again becoming a symbol of victory.
Nika inspires writers, artists, poets...
“The huge hall with its stairs was coldly approaching him. And suddenly Nike of Samothrace soared high above everything. She stood high above the stairs, on the fragment of a marble ship, stood in the glare of spotlights, sparkling, with wings spread wide, ready to take off. in the wind, her clothes tightly hugged her body directed forward... And it seemed that the wine-colored sea of Salamis was rustling behind her, and above it stretched a dark velvet sky, full of expectation.
Nike of Samothrace knew nothing about morality. She was not tormented by any problems. She did not experience the storms raging in her blood. She knew only victory or defeat, seeing almost no difference between them. She didn't seduce, she beckoned. She didn't float, she floated carelessly. She had no secrets, and yet she was much more exciting than Venus, who covered her shame to arouse desire. One was akin to birds and ships - wind, waves, horizon. She had no homeland. Yes, she didn't need it. She felt at home on any ship. Her elements were courage, struggle and even defeat: after all, she never despaired. She was not only the goddess of victory, but also the goddess of all romantics and wanderers, the goddess of emigrants, unless they laid down their arms... A cheap symbol? But what else in life touches as much as cheap symbols, cheap feelings, cheap sentimentality? After all, what made them cheap? Their undeniable persuasiveness."(E.M. Remarque "Arc de Triomphe")
November 23rd, 2011 , 08:28 am
The magnificent Nike of Samothrace, an ancient Greek marble sculpture of the goddess of Victory, is one of the most valuable exhibits of the Louvre. It was found on the island of Samothrace on the territory of the Cabiri sanctuary in April 1863 by the French consul and amateur archaeologist Charles Champoiseau. That same year she was sent to France. Currently, the Nike of Samothrace is located on the Daru staircase of the Denon gallery in the Louvre. The statue is made of Parian marble, the ship is made of gray Larthian marble (Rhodes), the right wing is a plaster reconstruction. The head and arms of the statue are missing.
The Winged Nike is one of the most beautiful statues of the Hellenistic era. The sculpture of the goddess of victory was erected on the island of Samothrace in memory of the naval victory of the Greeks over the fleet of the Syrian king. The figure of the goddess stood on a high cliff above the sea on a pedestal in the shape of the bow of a warship. The powerful and majestic Nika, in clothes fluttering in the wind, is presented in an unstoppable movement forward. The confident step of the goddess and the proud flapping of her wings give rise to a feeling of triumphant victory.
She is different, depending on where you look at her from, but always - flying, winged Nike. Unfortunately, the head and hands of the statue were not found. But how wonderful is what, fortunately, was found! The master makes one feel the strong sea wind blowing towards Nike, strong gusts of which agitate the folds of the goddess’s clothing, outline the beautiful shapes of her figure and make the hem of her cloak swirl. The elements of the sea, strong winds, and vast expanses are embodied in the plastic forms of the statue.
In order to get a good and correct look at the Nike of Samothrace, you need to approach it slowly and, without taking your eyes off, walk around it to the right and left. If time permits, you should return to it in the evening and admire it again. Under the influence of strong spotlights, marble begins to glow and acquires amazing transparency.
None of the works of ancient sculpture makes a stronger impression. Nika seems to be a wonderful symbol of a person’s aspiration to the future. This impression is enhanced by the fact that the statue is beautifully displayed. She stands alone on the landing, against the backdrop of an ascetically bare wall. Wide, calm steps rise up to it measuredly. People around Nika seem small. The goddess hovers above them and at the same time is directed towards them. She announces victory and is herself its inspired personification.
How did the ancient sculptor depict the goddess of victory? Winged Nike seemed to have just landed on the bow of the ship and was still full of impetuous movement. It is especially felt when looking at the statue on the right. The light fabric rises on the high chest, and a little lower it almost fits the body, emphasizing its slimness. Around the hips, the folds of the chiton begin to round, run over each other and, finally, frantically rush along the leg set back. They are echoed by wings and a fluttering cloak. Another moment, and Nika will fly again - you experience the same feeling when the music gradually begins to rise and fades on a very high note. When you stand right in front of Nika, the impression changes. There is more peace and balance in the statue, but the dynamics do not disappear - the fresh wind throws back the unruly folds of clothing and sways them. Nika is ready to flap her mighty wings at any moment.
Nike of Samothrace
Location: Paris, Louvre
Time of creation: around 190 BC.
Location of discovery: Samothrace Island (northern Aegean Sea)
Material: statue – Parian marble, ship – gray Latros marble
Statue height: 2.45 m.
Height with ship: 3.28 m
The Greeks turned out to be very resourceful in their idea of depicting Victory in the form of a winged woman. Today this image is known throughout the world.
The magnificent Nike of Samothrace, an ancient Greek marble sculpture of the goddess of Victory, is one of the most valuable exhibits of the Louvre. It was found on the island of Samothrace on the territory of the Cabiri sanctuary in April 1863 by the French consul and amateur archaeologist Charles Champoiseau. That same year she was sent to France. Currently, the Nike of Samothrace is located on the Daru staircase of the Denon gallery in the Louvre. The statue is made of Parian marble, the ship is made of gray Larthian marble (Rhodes), the right wing is a plaster reconstruction. The head and arms of the statue are missing.
The sculpture of the goddess of victory was erected on the island of Samothrace in memory of the naval victory of the Greeks over the fleet of the Syrian king. The figure of the goddess stood on a high cliff above the sea on a pedestal in the shape of the bow of a warship. The powerful and majestic Nika, in clothes fluttering in the wind, is presented in an unstoppable movement forward. The confident step of the goddess and the proud flapping of her wings give rise to a feeling of triumphant victory.
She is different, depending on where you look at her from, but always - flying, winged Nike. Unfortunately, the head and hands of the statue were not found. But how wonderful is what, fortunately, was found! The master makes one feel the strong sea wind blowing towards Nike, strong gusts of which agitate the folds of the goddess’s clothing, outline the beautiful shapes of her figure and make the hem of her cloak swirl. The elements of the sea, strong winds, and vast expanses are embodied in the plastic forms of the statue.
In order to get a good and correct look at the Nike of Samothrace, you need to approach it slowly and, without taking your eyes off, walk around it to the right and left. If time permits, you should return to it in the evening and admire it again. Under the influence of strong spotlights, marble begins to glow and acquires amazing transparency.
None of the works of ancient sculpture makes a stronger impression. Nika seems to be a wonderful symbol of a person’s aspiration to the future. This impression is enhanced by the fact that the statue is beautifully displayed. She stands alone on the landing, against the backdrop of an ascetically bare wall. Wide, calm steps rise up to it measuredly. People around Nika seem small. The goddess hovers above them and at the same time is directed towards them. She announces victory and is herself its inspired personification.
How did the ancient sculptor depict the goddess of victory? Winged Nike seemed to have just landed on the bow of the ship and was still full of impetuous movement. It is especially felt when looking at the statue on the right. The light fabric rises on the high chest, and a little lower it almost fits the body, emphasizing its slimness. Around the hips, the folds of the chiton begin to round, run over each other and, finally, frantically rush along the leg set back. They are echoed by wings and a fluttering cloak. Another moment, and Nika will fly again - you experience the same feeling when the music gradually begins to rise and fades on a very high note. When you stand right in front of Nika, the impression changes. There is more peace and balance in the statue, but the dynamics do not disappear - the fresh wind throws back the unruly folds of clothing and sways them. Nika is ready to flap her mighty wings at any moment.
In museums and galleries around the world you can find many copies of the Nike statue; one of the most famous is located in front of the Caesars Palace casino in Las Vegas. The "Spirit of Ecstasy" - a figurine on the radiator of a Rolls-Royce - is also made in the image of Nicky. The first World Cup, played by the International Football Association FIFA in 1930, was also made in the form of Nika, the project of which was proposed by Abel Lafleur.
The Nike of Samothrace was greatly loved by the architect Frank Lloyd Wright, who placed its reproductions on the roofs of buildings he built, including Ward Willits House, Darwin D. Martin House and Storer House.