Which ancient Greek statue, found in 1863 on Samothrace, represents Nike, the goddess of victory?

The ancient Greek statue found in 1863 on Samothrace that represents Nike is the Winged Victory of Samothrace.

The Hellenistic marble sculpture was discovered by Charles Champoiseau on the Greek island of Samothrace in 1863. It shows Nike, the winged goddess of victory, descending onto the prow of a ship. The statue was probably created around the early second century BCE, although its exact sculptor and commissioning circumstances remain uncertain.

Its dramatic effect comes from the interaction of movement, wind and fabric. The thin folds of the goddess’s garment appear pressed against her body in places and blown outward in others. The head and arms are missing, but the wings and flowing drapery remain powerful enough to suggest motion.

The ship’s prow is not merely a base: it identifies the monument with a naval victory. The sanctuary at Samothrace was an important religious centre, and the monument likely commemorated a successful military campaign. Since 1884, the statue has stood at the top of the Daru staircase in the Louvre, where its missing head is part of its enduring visual identity.