This is hard for me to admit, but this next sight on our continuing virtual vacation in Paris brings me to tears. Literally. I can't explain this, but somewhere in my soul I have a deep, passionate response to this sculpture. I've always loved it. The very sight of it moves me. And really, isn't that what all great art should do for you? Move you. Yes. It should.

So in keeping with that theme... I'm going to slowly 'move you' through the Louvre as we approach the incomparable WInged Victory of Samothrace. Believed to have been created between believed to date to between 220 and 190 BC, this is - in my opinion - the Louvre's greatest possession.

Hang on... let me catch my breath....

Carved by an unknown sculptor, this is hands down my absolute favorite piece of art in all the world. Mr. Venti already knows to bring a book and his iPhone on any trips to the Louvre, as I'm likely to spend an inordinate amount of time admiring the work of the unknown artists who toiled away so tirelessly to create such an iconic piece of Hellenistic history. She is everything I long for in art...inspiring, mysterious, larger than life, unrivaled and untouchable. She is not simply an ancient artifact to me... she signiffies power, forward movement and the relentless pursuit of of our goals. It is one of the remarklable characteristics of art from the Hellenistic era... it seems to capture a moment frozen in time. It. Is. Amazing.

I hope you enjoy her as much as I do... see you all tomorrow or possibly tonight as we continue our journey! And don't worry, when we get to Rome I will introduce you to my second favorite sculpture as well as the painter that I am still inspired by today.

{Note... I'm sorely lacking when it comes to attributing photos to sources. One might say it is my Achilles Heel. However, in the spirit of WInged Victory's history, the photos above are all the craftsmanship of "unknown artists" (hee hee) who were kind enough to post their work on Flickr or Wikipedia for our enjoyment. My use of credits may be lacking, but my appreciation of their tireless work is not.}