The Winged Victory of Samothrace by goodoleboy
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Description
Captured 1/29/12, at beautiful Rancho Los Alamitos in beautiful Long Beach, California.
The Winged Victory of Samothrace, also called the Nike of Samothrace, is a 2nd-century BC marble sculpture of the Greek goddess Nike (Victory). Since 1884, it has been prominently displayed at the Louvre and is one of the most celebrated sculptures in the world. H.W. Janson described it as "the greatest masterpiece of Hellenistic sculpture."
Source: Wikipedia free encyclopedia.
Postwork was performed on the photos of this lovely sculpture, a splendid replica of the real thing, so as to enhance the patterns inherent in the body, wings and folds of the clothing. I don't know if the statue was donated to or purchased by the Rancho. There are several artistic concepts of Nike in existence. Check it out on the Internet. And, most of all, I wonder why the sculptor, Pythokritos of Lindos, circa 200-190 BC, didn't create a head for Nike while he was at it. Then again, maybe there was a head, and arms, originally, but disappeared over the centuries. In any case, it's all Greek to me.
Au revoir.
Comments (8)
Mulltipass
Such a Very Cool Capture!! I had the opportunity to see The Winged Victory of Samothrace when I was in Paris and I have to say this 8 foot beauty was truly a sight to see. I was amazed at the fact that it was carved out of Parian marble which is a very white a crystalized marble but today the sculpture it is a muddy brown. Would loved to have viewed its beauty right after it was completed as it must have shimmered in the light like a diamond. I did notice that the replica in your capture is very close to the original except for the left arm which is longer as the original one is a carved only from the shoulder to the armpit. Awesome work!! 5+++++++
magnus073
Nice work on this truly amazing capture, Harry.
giulband
Wonderful taken, I thought the NIKE was in Paris at the Louvre Museum!! But evidently I am wrong!! Now she is there in California!!!!!
goodoleboy
Surely you jest. As stated above, the original, standing at 8 feet (2.44 meters) high, is still in the Louvre in Paris, and made of Parian marble, much unlike this replica, which is much shorter in height.
claude19
excellent capture Harry ! interessant angle of view...I prefer the shot on below, I don't know why !!! ArtFriendly Claude
Cyve
Beautiful sculpture and fantastic captures !
MrsRatbag
Superb shots of this incredibly lovely sculpture; it's truly eye-candy! The wings are stunning, as is the body shape.
debbielove
Nice shot mate and a good find! No, I think keep it as is is best.. Fine shot Rob
anahata.c
Well this is in the category of "art photography"---by which I mean photographing works of art. It's a very difficult art---as I've found, when photographing in museums. You did a splendid job with the details, your postwork brought out folds, smooth surfaces, under-feathers (under the wings where shadow can interfere with clarity), flow, mass, light and shade. People who photograph art for art books use very expensive cameras and lenses, spend a lot of time setting up lighting, and---even then---have to be very delicate, because it's such an exacting art. Considering you had none of those advantages (I assume you don't carry a lights and reflectors with you each time you go out, lol), you did a marvelous job with this very difficult subject; made more difficult by being in a shaded region, and outside. (Ie, where you can't control the light at all.) The light and creamy feel of the stone is also captured sweetly. Compositionally, in the first shot you've composed it in your usual balanced way, with the torso lined with the tree behind it, and the greenery equally represented on both sides. Also the darker upper half is balance to the greener lower half---both of which set off the white sculpture well. You always know how to use background to set off your subject. In the lower shot, you've let the two wing tips meet the tops of the fence (largely), while the back billow of the gown greets the greenery below, etc. The right-most wing-tip (her right, not ours) lines up with a light post behind it. And the left wing points to the tree. All signs of a finely hewn sense of composition, which you carry with you everywhere you go. But composition aside, fine work on the folds and details. As I say, art photography is usually done with lights, lots of time, and very expensive equipment; and it's a tough art, even then. Fine work on this, Harry: Your postwork brought out the many fine details of this replica, which isn't easy. And yes, the head and arms were lost, and some archaeologists have tried to find them with no luck. It does give a mystery to the art, though. Again, this is very well done. Maybe Nike will stop over and thank you. (Be prepared for a stone head at your door---you could use that in your Halloween series!)