Louvre OKs Replicas of ‘Nike of Samothrace’ in Greece

The Nike of Samothrace in the Louvre Museum.

On the initiative of the Eastern Macedonia and Thrace Region, the Louvre Museum has agreed to allow the reproduction of one of its most popular exhibits: the Nike of Samothrace.

Also known as the “Winged Victory of Samothrace”, the 2nd-century BC marble sculpture of the Greek goddess Nike — one of most celebrated statues in the world — has since 1884 been displayed at the Louvre in Paris.

Nike — one of three winged sculptures found in a temple on the Greek island of Samothrace — was discovered in April 1863 by the French consul and amateur archaeologist Charles Champoiseau, and sent to Paris that same year.

On the initiative of Eastern Macedonia and Thrace Prefect Giorgos Pavlidis and underlining its significance as part of Greece and Samothrace’s cultural heritage, the museum agreed to the creation of two exact replicas of the ancient Greek statue in its true size according to the museum’s 3D guidelines.

One of the two replicas will be placed — in agreement with the Municipality of Samothrace — in its original location, and the second in the city of Alexandroupolis, northern Greece.

“We thank the Louvre Museum, the guardian of the Winged Victory of Samothrace, for the courtesy,” said Mr Pavlidis.

“Our cultural heritage is exceptional, shining worldwide, with far-reaching influence, and as such we must highlight it in all its glory and bring it closer to our fellow citizens.”