2014 Winged Victory (Nike of Samothrace)

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The Winged Victory / Nike of Samothrace was taken down for conservation in 2013. During that time it was x-rayed, photographed, and cleaned. Fragments that had been in storage were reattached where possible. The most striking change was the addition of an extra feather to the left wing. Spectroscopy revealed traces of Egyptian Blue paint on the left wing. Traces were also found the edges of the himation. Ancient restorations and alterations were noted. The statue was heavily restored in 1883 to add the bust and wings. During the conservation, the plaster forming the missing left shoulder and left side of the neck was subtly resculpted. A hitherto unknown detail, three strands of the goddess' hair, was discovered. The overall goal of the conservation was to learn as much as possible about the statue but also respect the 19th century restorations as they had become as much a part of the statue as the original marble. Once the examinations and explorations were completed the statue was carefully cleaned to reveal the pinkish-white Parian marble it was sculpted from. The statue was then set back atop it's conserved and cleaned trireme prow-shaped pedestal. You can watch a fascinating documentary about the history and conservation of the Nike Monument here (albeit in French only): https://youtu.be/LDOVIliEX7w You can see an English presentation by Professor Bonna D. Wescoat of Emory University at a Friday Focus presentation hosted by the Metropolitan Museum of Art: https://www.metmuseum.org/metmedia/video/lectures/friday-focus-vantage-of-the-victory