Winged Victory of Samothrace

How many of us are traveling the world virtually through “memory” photos from our phones or re-reading notebooks of places visited in the past? I’ve begun recreating recipes from favorite countries just to keep my creative spirits flowing. The other day I happened upon an article from My Modern Met entitled This Armless Sculpture Is One of the Louvre’s Most Treasured Masterpieces by Kelly Richman-Abdou.

Reading the piece reminded me of my first trip to Paris after learning of the Nike of Samothrace [as she is sometimes called] in a college art history class. I was enthralled by the beauty of the sculpture, as the wet and windblown drapery clings to her body, and being a winged figure, Nike triumphantly steps toward the front of a ship.

This photo from the Louvre appeared in my iPhone memory since, we were in Paris last January. Amidst the protest and holiday crowds each of us knew this was to be our last trip due to rising numbers of the pandemic so, we made every second count and stayed true to the itineraries we crafted.

We had timed tickets for our first day to the Louvre last year, and the workers promptly closed the museum due to strikes. So, reworking the itinerary we headed to the Left Bank of the Seine to the Musée d’Orsay to see the Edgar Degas Exhibition.

When we finally made our way back to the Louvre it was great to spend time with the Winged Victory Of Samothrace, which remains one of the most celebrated sculptures in the art world. She has inspired many artists including Surrealist Salvador Dali for his Double Nike de Samothrace [1973] and Futurist Umberto Boccioni for Unique Forms of Continuity in Space [1913].

These interpretations will never compare or capture the spirit of this Hellenistic creation.

Happy New Year,
Kathleen