The Winged Victory of Samothrace

Winged Victory or Nike was dug up on the island of Samothrace in 1863 by Charles Champoiseau. She was made during the Hellenistic Period as a commemorative monument and offering to the seafaring gods by the Rhodian people. It is thought that she was made due to a naval victory and put overlooking a Sanctuary of the Great Gods. She was meant to be viewed from the front left side.
Looking at her she is bracing herself into the wind clothes billowing behind her. Originally she would have had one hand raised up to her mouth as to announce why she was made. This piece has a great amount of detail on the left and front further backing up the hypothesis that she was to be seen from that direction. It displays the continuation of the high classical Greek sculpture skills. There is diaphanous drapery used by the Greeks in the high classical period. Deep carvings to create more shadow and a more dramatic form. She was clearly an open form statue by having that step forward and arms out wide. Although, if they had been tucked in or attached maybe her arms would still be there.
There are models and recreations that have been able to be made giving viewers a better idea of what she would have looked like with her head and arms. It has been agreed that she would have been looking straight forward and older models from 2nd BC seem to suggest that she was smiling and greeting the viewers.

Citation:
Astier Marie-Benedicte. www.louvre.fr. Collect and Louvre Palace, n/a. 24 June 2013.

Marianne Hamiaux and Sophie Marmois. www.musee.louvre.fr. Musee de Louvre, Oct 2008. Web. 24 June 2013.