My recent trip to Athens Greece was quite remarkable in many ways. It was the first time I saw the ancient city of Athens not through the big pages of Janson’s Art History book or through a secondary source or a picture posted online but with my own eyes! Yes it felt like a long-desired dream come true. Decades ago, as an Art History major, I would often look at the pictures of Nike or the grand fluted pillars of Acropolis and wondered if I would ever see them. At last I saw and experienced the majestic art and architecture of Greece and so, this article is a tribute to it.
The Goddess of Athens, goddess of wisdom and war, and patron of arts and crafts is Athena. She was the one who gifted the Olive Trees to Athens. Seen below is the full replica of her at the Temple of Parthenon.
The Olive Trees, well who doesn’t like Olive! Known for its profound qualities, this plant is the top choice for salad lovers, especially the Kalamata olives.
Legend has it that the olive tree was gifted to the city of Athens by Athena in a contest against Poseidon, which she won, as the people chose her gift (olive tree) rather than Poseidon’s (salty spring water)
I saw these trees represented in many ways: metal sculpture, decorative artefacts & wreaths, patterns on textile and of course olive plantation all over in the region. It is said that an olive tree (highlighted in pic’s) is planted in the very same location as the first olive tree given to the city of Athens. No it’s not that old though, the present tree is around 60 years old and stands in front of the Temple of Erechtheion on the Acropolis.
Athens is beautifully set in between many small hills, surrounding it like a garland. It also offers many high hill top locations to see some stunning panoramic views, especially at night. The Parthenon being the center point of the city, looks spectacular both during the day and night. The highest point in the city is Lykavittos, (seen in my pictures taken from the Acropolis). Some panoramic views taken from Delphi were also mesmerizing. The greenery was fresh and vibrant in contrast to the hills and rocks, standing still for thousands of years. This culmination of the new and the ancient was a calming and humbling experience.
One of the most prized sculptures of the Hellinestic Period is the Nike of Samothrace ~ the winged goddess of Victory. There is a small Temple dedicated to Athena Nike at Parthenon. However the Nike of Samothrace which I had been wanting to see from close quarters is not in Athens but at the Louvre Paris. It is undoubtedly the star attraction of the Louvre Museum. Created around 2000 years ago, it is awe inspiring to think the way white marble had been carved with many tactile textures, the contrapposto pose capturing the moment Nike just landed on the ground, the way the sculpture emits and weaves the energy around is absolutely remarkable. One needs to see this to experience it. One can literally hear the flutter and feel the swift of air.
But until our future impending trip to the Louvre, we decided to get this gorgeous marble replica of the Nike of Samothrace from Athens, that now graces my home!
