Saturday, July 28, 2012

The Weekend in Black and White

This is my absolute dead fave piece of sculpture in the
world: The Nike of Samothrace, aka Winged Victory.
I fell in love with her the very first time I walked
into the Louvre—almost (ahem) 50 years ago.
But she's even older than I am; it's estimated that
she was created about 2,200 (and 1) years ago! 



[To see more monochromes, go here.]

7 comments:

  1. I wonder if the Louvre had to use a special Crane to mount the sculpture in that commanding location. An Ichabod Crane, for example.

    The Louvre has this as a likely reconstruction. Why is it that the missing pieces make what we see today so much more impressive? Is it related to the Albert Einstein quote, “I am enough of an artist to draw freely upon my imagination. Imagination is more important than knowledge. Knowledge is limited. Imagination encircles the world.” ?

    I would agree with you. Looking up at that artistic presence for the first time (and evermore hence) does cause a sharp intake of breath that is held unconsciously for lifetimes ever after.

    I hadn’t realized it until this moment but Marcel Duchamp and Umberto Boccioni surely must gotten inspiration from your favorite sculpture at the top of those stairs.

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  2. I love it too. But 50 years of constant devotion is more than I can offer :-)

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  3. Your shot is as ageless as the subject, Alexa. And you! I hope you're having a lovely weekend...

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  4. Wonderful, I remember this from the time I was in Louvre. Made an impression :0) Great b&w

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  5. A fine and famous sculpture. It must be so impressive 'in person', you're so fortunate to have seen it.

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  6. I too have always admired this piece and wonder what she looked like intact. I always get goosebumps when I see a piece of art that I've seen lots of times in art books.

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  7. It'a an awesome statue! Nice photo it as well...

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Thanks, merci, grazie, danke, hvala, gracias, spasibo, shukran, dhanyavaad, salamat, arigato, and muito obrigado for your much-appreciated comments.