Who's Who Ancient Greece: The Arts

Paeonios (5th century BC)

Sculpture & Archetecture

The birthplace of this sculptor was the Halkidhiki peninsula (southeast of Thessaloniki).

He is best known for his 'Winged Niki (Nike)', which dates from around 425 BC. Though the original, housed in the Museum of Olympia, no longer has its wings, the figure is obviously in flight, though towards the ground, with her left foot just touching the ground, and her clothing swirling around her.

On the remaining fragment of the base is an inscription of the dedication of the statue by citizens of Messenia and Nafpaktos, in celebration of their victory against Sparta, against which they were allied with Athens.