The Winged Victory of Samothrace

During the design of the Maison Hannon in 1904–1905, the owners installed a plaster reproduction of the Winged Victory of Samothrace, the iconic Greek sculpture housed in the Louvre. The sculpture is in the greenhouse and overlooks the large drawing room where the fruit is harvested at the end of the summer. Hugely popular in the 19th century, it also adorned the homes of artists like Paul Hankar. Why such enthusiasm? The statue refers to the island of Samothrace, where mystery cults celebrated the vital forces of nature, especially during the summer solstice. It embodies both the spirit of Antiquity and a dynamic, spiritual energy. In the Maison Hannon, it resonates with the Arcadian-inspired frescoes and strengthens the symbolic unity of the interior. The version displayed today faithfully replicates the original one chosen by the Hannons.