Nike of Callimachus

Nike of Callimachus is a marble sculpture of a winged woman standing on an inscribed column, displayed in the Acropolis Museum. The work shows how ancient sculptors used both stone carving and metal attachments to complete their pieces.

This sculpture was created around 490 BCE to honor Callimachus, an Athenian general involved in a major conflict with Persian invaders. It came into being following a turning point in early Athenian history against foreign forces.

The statue incorporates continuous drapery techniques and metal jewelry attachments, demonstrating the sophisticated sculptural methods of ancient Greek artisans during the Archaic period.

This sculpture is displayed at the Acropolis Museum in a gallery dedicated to early sculptures, where visitors can examine its remains and preserved sections up close. The exhibition shows both original fragments and reconstructions that help visitors understand the original form.

The neck section contains nine small holes where metal ornaments were once attached, showing how intricate the details were. These fine touches are barely visible today, but they reveal the craftsmanship of ancient sculptors.