Winged Victory of Samothrace

Now in the Lourve, it is believed that this most revered sculpture was carved around the time of 190 BCE. It used to stand on a fake prow of a ship, as if descending from the heavens to guide her fleet to victory. Though her arms and head are missing and have never been found, one hand has been found and sits on display close to the larger body of the sculpture. It is believed that her right hand was raised and cupped around her mouth to deliver the shout of Victory towards her enemy while simultaneously rallying her troops. 

The sculpture is one of the most revered in the world, mostly because of its amazing merging of motion into the unmoving medium of stone. The drapery around her body not only highlights her feminine torso, but reveals masculine legs, delivering the message of strength and femininity.  The drapery blowing back on her clearly conveys the wind off the sea and even appears wet with spray as it is weighted down and sticking to her legs as it is driven back by gales.