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Nike (or Winged Victory) of Samothrace

AfterAfter Pythokritos of Rhodes (Rhodes, Greece, 2nd Century BC)

Datec. 190 BC

Mediumplaster cast

ClassificationsSculptures

DimensionsHeight: 265 cm

AcquisitionPresented in 1905 by D M M Milligan.

CopyrightOut of copyright

LocationView by Appointment - Aberdeen Treasure Hub

Object numberABDAG008175

Keywords

Female

About MeThe marble original, of which this is a cast, is now in the Louvre, Paris and is often referred to as the Winged Victory of Samothrace. It is generally considered to be one of the masterpieces of the Hellenic Age.

Dating from the end of the 3rd century B.C., it originally stood in a ship's prow in the sanctuary of the Cabiri on the island of Samothrace and has been ascribed to Pythocritos of Rhodes.

It was originally in a shallow basin, with boulders emerging from the water, in which the statue was reflected. The figure's robe or chiton is thrown against her body by a strong wind, leaving her left leg and breasts bare. The folds fly in all directions and the effect of stormy movement on drapery has hardly ever been more gloriously handled.