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Jess Beal

Maureen Vissat

History of Western Art

11 November 2015

Nike of Samothrace or Winged Victory

Multiple exquisite and emotional works of art were granted into the art

world by the Hellenistic period. The Nike of Samothrace’s flawless figure represents

Nike the goddess of victory, also known as the “Winged Goddess.” My first thoughts

of this piece was, “wait this is what the athletic brand was inspired by?!” Apparently

I was not up to date on my Greek mythology because I didn’t know the brand Nike

was influenced by a Greek goddess. It’s incredible that one of the most successful

and well-known brands across the world is based off of a female. When I thought of

Nike (the brand) I imagined a masculine, buff male similar to Gerard Butler in the

movie 300. Since I’ve discovered Nike is actually the goddess of victory it make me

excited and prideful that all this time everyone has been representing a powerful

female while competing. It is quite exhilarating to know how much of an impact this

exquisite female has over everyone. She is sculpted in a similar fashion that shows

her as being powerful, prideful, and triumphant. The drapery is pressed against her

body as if the wind is blowing against her. She stands proudly atop a ship looking

down on all of her viewers as if she just achieved the unachievable. Her outstretched

wings put her viewers in awe of how amazing she is. “The statue stands at 18 feet

and 3 inches and is made of white Paros marble. The base is 6 feet and 7 inches and

the pedestal is 1 foot 2 inches. They are sculpted from grey white-veined marble
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from the quarries of Lartos on the island of Rhodes. (Winged 1-)” Nike of

Samothrace is the perfect selection because of how inspiring the piece is and the

strong emotional appeal viewers receive from this stunning sculpture.

In general this piece displays radiation and movement while also showing

valiance and victory. Her wings are meant to be beating atop of the ship while the

wind is blowing in her direction (Gardner 135). Her clothing was known as a

himation, which was the common covering for both men and women during the

Hellenistic time period (Winged 1-). It bunches up around her right leg mainly

because her right leg is forward. With the wind supposedly blowing against her the

wrap will, by nature, collect around her protruding leg (see figure 1). The

combination of the cloth being wrapped around her right leg and the force of wind is

what keeps the drape covering her body (Winged 1-). She also wears a chiton which

is a long woolen tunic wore by the people in ancient Greece (Winged 1-). It is

stretched a crossed her tummy and right leg and falls to her feet. Again because of

the wind, it would make any loose clothing appear to be fitted tightly. Also the

remainder of the chiton is pushed back to her left leg due to the wind blowing in that

direction. Although difficult to see, in order to shorten her skirts the himation is

gathered by a belt hidden by the folds, which is located by her hips. There is also a

second belt, which holds the chiton in place underneath her breasts (Winged 1-).

Although her feet are no longer attached, her right one supposedly contained all the

weight on her toes. Her left foot behind her was raised off the ground as if in stride

(Winged 1-). The torso and hips are square to the viewer while the right shoulder

and breast are slightly raised. This indicated the arm was held up. If her right arm
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was still attached, it is said that she was crowing the naval victor (Gardner 135).

This is similar to when Nike placed the wreath on Athena in Athena Battling

Alkyoneos (see figure 2). Although in Samothrace in 1950 a hand was found and said

to be apart of this art piece. The right hand found had an open palm and two

outstretched fingers (see figure 3). This suggests she could have been simply waving

or gesturing upward (Winged 1-). “The Victory’s figure is incorporated into a right

angled triangle encompassing the generous lines of the body, the folds of her

garments, and he energy of her forward movement. (Winged 1-)” The frontal view is

structured by the protruding right leg which is outlined in the fabric. The side view

of Nike is less in detail. The sculpture thought that perhaps the only view worth

looking at would be her front (Winged 1-). Also the back of the statue is just as plain

as the sides; most likely for a similar reason (see figure 4). Winged Victory was

placed in a two-tierred fountain (Gardner 136). A two-tierred fountain has two

basins, one on top of the other (see figure 5). The lower basin contained massive

boulders. The flowing water of the fountain created rushing waves jumping up

against the prow of the ship Nike is standing on. The prow on a ship is the projecting

point in the front of the ship (see figure 6). The statue would reflect in the water to

display “lightness and movement (Gardner 136).” Finally, the added effect of the

splashing water amps up the drama of Nike being out at sea on a ship. This exquisite

piece may be worn down through the years but luckily there’s still enough detail for

the artist to be able to display the piece similarly to how they wanted it.

The style of Nike is very much common from the Hellenistic period and its

very fitting to the emotions the artist was trying to draw out of the viewer. The wet
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drape technique appeals to both sensuality and strength. Sensuality is visible

because her clothes cling tightly to her body with only the support of the wind.

Therefore the texture of the drapery makes it seem that her clothes could fly off her

body at any moment. The strength in the art piece obviously reflects the fact that

she is the powerful goddess of victory. Since she is on top of a ship soaring through

the air we can assume her valiance and slight cockiness. This piece is close to 9 feet

above ground; therefore the viewer must look up to her. The artist wanted to add

this space effect between her and the viewer because in this moment she is above

everyone else; she cannot be touched because she is so victorious. It is assumable

that since Nike is the high point of this piece, the author intended for the light to hit

her to make her seem even more radiant. Also the marble used for her body is a

lighter shade than the shit itself. Therefore the intension was to make her the center

of the observer’s attention.

During the Hellenistic period, the people experienced many naval battles.

The kingdoms, which would later be inherited by Alexander the Great, fought over

control of the Aegean Sea. Therefore ships as a military resource are vital (Winged

1-). The style and materials are said to hint towards Rhodians dedicated Nike. The

“Rhodians contained a particularly accomplished navy at the end of the 3rd and

beginning of the 2nd centuries BC (Nike 1-). The ship she stands upon identifies as a

trihemiolia, which is a Hellenistic warship that was especially common with the

Rhodians (Nike 1-). The structure of this piece proves that it is typical for the

Hellenistic period. Her S-formed posture will be seen throughout the Hellenistic

period as well as the wet drape technique. Also after Nike the female nude
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sculptures will be seen more often. The technique she was built with is also normal

for her time period. Greek sculptures used several blocks of marble that they carved

separately then put together the parts. This was used mainly for the head and other

protruding parts such as arms, wings, feet, and several pieces of her clothing. One

large block was used for beneath the breasts to the feet, which was topped by a

smaller block for the upper torso and her head (Winged 1-). Winged Goddess was a

piece not out of the ordinary for her time but she also became a trend setter for

future works of art in the Hellenistic period.

Although Winged Victory doesn’t make one think as much as other pieces,

there are still some questions that come to mind. I did a general background search

on the significance of the ship she stands on but I want to know more. I want to

know if the trihemiolia was intended to be a specific ship used in war or what not. I

feel the artist would not simply throw an all-powerful goddess on top of a random

ship without meaning. I also have not been able to find anything about her head.

Was she supposed to be headless or was her head lost? I’m quite certain she was

meant to have a head but one may never know. Which also brings me to her left arm.

Scholars say it was existent but did it have any significance? From what I’ve read

I’ve concluded that it was just at her side but yet again that could be the wrong thing

to assume.

The Winged Goddess was meant to capture the audiences’ attention through

the appeal to emotion. The artist wanted the observer to be in awe of the

exhilarating representation of the goddess of victory. As she soars over the water

she not only is physically high up but mentally is on a high of her pride. She looks as
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if she just accomplished the most difficult task in the world; she is now full of pride

and happiness due to her victory. The artist wanted to inspire the viewers to want

to feel the way she feels; the artist wants the view to push for that “on top of the

world” feeling. The remainder of this piece still serves an excellent display of the

attitude the sculpture planned to represent. I wish we were able to see the sculpture

in full but I guarantee we would still feel the same effect as we do now looking at

her. Nike of Samothrace is an exquisite piece not only for her radiating beauty but

for the overwhelming emotional appeal she gives to her viewers.

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Figure 1 displays the frontal view of Nike of

Samothrace

Figure 2 represents Athena Battling Alkyoneos. This shows the similarity of Nike’s
hand placement in putting the wreath on Athena.
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Figure 3 shows the right hand found that seemed to belong to the Winged Goddess

Figure 4 is the side view of the Winged

Goddess
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Figure 5 is an example of a two-tier fountain (of course the one Nike was in was
much larger)

Figure 6 displays the full sculpture

and also the prow of the ship.
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Works Cited

Gardner, Helen, and Fred S. Kleiner. Gardner's Art through the Ages: The Western Perspective.

13th Ed., Student ed. Boston, Mass.: Wadsworth Cengage Learning, 2010. 135-136.

Print.

"Nike Monument." Nike Monument. Web. 11 Nov. 2015.

“Winged Victory of Samothrace.” A Closer Look at the Victory of Samothrace. Web. 11 Nov.

2015