Winged Victory

Daniel Chester French, born Exeter, NH 1850-died Stockbridge, MA 1931 · modeled 1921

Winged Victory is one of several bronzes that Daniel Chester French had cast from a maquette, a smaller model usually made of wax or clay. Near the Old Executive Office Building in Washington, a three-foot version sits atop a column commemorating American soldiers who fought in World War I. French based the sculpture on classical images of Nike, the goddess of victory. Her upraised hands holding a flag pay tribute to the men who sacrificed their lives to liberate Europe.