Fine Art Friday

Friday's Feast didn't inspire me this week, but Shawn's art history studies did. We are making our way through Art Across the Ages, art history lectures from The Teaching Company, and reading through The Annotated Mona Lisa as a precursor to the lectures as well as consulting some of my old art history books from my college days. We have begun this study rather late in the year and are only into the period of Hellenistic art, but no matter, we are enjoying the material.



Today's lecture addressed the Hellenistic period of Greek art, the time period when the great empire of Alexander had moved Greek ideals throughout parts of the Western and Eastern world. One of the most famous and noted sculptures of that time is the Nike of Samothrace. This sculpture is also a personal favorite of mine, so naturally I felt the urge to share its majesty with all of you.




Imagine if you will a niche of rock overlooking The Sanctuary of the Great Gods at Samothrace, a pool of water at the nike's feet representing the ocean. Now picture the fierce wind howling across ocean waves and crashing upon the breast of the Nike as she stands, wings and (now missing) arms outstretched in victory against the very sea and wind itself, a testimony to the hard won naval battle she commemorates. This is the original scene in which the Nike of Samothrace was exhibited. She must have been a magnificent sight in those surroundings. Now, of course, you can view her away from the harm of the elements in the Louvre in Paris. Though from her intended backdrop she has been long removed, her magnificence is still greatly admired.



Read more about her here: Nike of Samothrace