V for Victory

Today I share an observational drawing using graphic and coloured pencils on cartridge paper, I may have been 16-17 years old when this was drawn as part of an Art class assignment. I chose to observe and draw my Nike AirMax sneakers, I really loved these shoes, as they looked great, were comfortable while playing sports and got me around town in swift speed.

Here is a little history lesson in Greek Mythology and the origin of Nike - The goddess of Victory, which I find very interesting, courtesy of Wikipedia http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nike_(goddess) 


In Greek mythology, Nike (Greek: Νίκη, "Victory", pronounced [nǐːkɛː]) was a goddess who personified victory, also known as the Winged Goddess of Victory. The Roman equivalent was Victoria. Depending upon the time of various myths, she was described as the daughter of Pallas (Titan) and Styx (Water)^[1][2] and the sister of Kratos (Strength), Bia(Force), and Zelus (Zeal).^[1] Nike and her siblings were close companions of Zeus, the dominant deity of the Greek pantheon. According to classical (later) myth, Styx brought them to Zeus when the god was assembling allies for theTitan War against the older deities. Nike assumed the role of the divine charioteer, a role in which she often is portrayed in Classical Greek art. Nike flew around battlefields rewarding the victors with glory and fame.

Nike is seen with wings in most statues and paintings. Most other winged deities in the Greek pantheon had shed their wings by Classical times. Nike is the goddess of strength, speed, and victory. Nike was a very close acquaintance ofAthena, and is thought to have stood in Athena's outstretched hand in the statue of Athena located in the Parthenon.^[3]Nike is one of the most commonly portrayed figures on Greek coins.^[4]

Following on from the Nike theme, I visited the Louvre and took some photos of the Winged Victory of Samothrace, displayed on the landing of the Daru staircase. It is one of the most popular marble sculptures in the Museum and you will often find crowds of people in awe of its magnificent strength and beauty. 

The statue was discovered on the Aegean Island of Samothrace in 1863 by French Archaeologists and sent to the Louvre for preservation. It dates back to circa 190 BC, the sculptor is unknown and it is believed to have been created in commemoration of a naval victory and placed on a ship's prow that overlooked the sanctuary on the Island of Samothrace. Nike with her wings outstretched, her garment billowing in the sea wind clinging to her body successfully creates an intensity of movement and struggle to victory. 

In person this sculpture is absolutely amazing, artists such as the Futurists and Frank Lloyd Wright paid homage to this masterpiece in their works and I can truly see why.