The Nike of Samothrake is back in the Louvre

Look who has returned back 'home'! Right on schedule, the Nike of Samothrake is back on its pedestal in the Louvre Museum in Paris.

The Winged Victory of Samothrace is back on its pedestal in the Louvre Museum
in Paris following restoration wok [AP/Remy de la Mauviniere]

A little less than a year ago, it was announced that the statue--which had last been restored between 1880 and 1884, when the right wing and left breast were rebuilt with plaster and a metal structure was created to keep together the garments of the left wing--would get a new make-over. The goal was to clean the marble which had become darker with time and ascertain the state of conservation of the artwork and the assembling of various pieces as well as reintegrate fragments found over the past century. A block of cement at the statue's feet that was added in 1934 to highlight the leaping effect was removed.

Of the four million dollar project, three million was raised from sponsors and private donations. The effort was coordinated by the Anna Lindh Foundation, and personally, I would say they did an amazing job. From the sooth-stained marble to the beauty above, I would say it was four million well spent!