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I was stolen once and shattered once, and both times I stand here again.
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1793 · Rekonstruktion 1957
Victoria
The goddess of victory on the Brandenburg Gate — stolen, destroyed, returned
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Talk to Victoria atop the Brandenburg Gate — stolen by Napoleon, brought back, destroyed in the war down to a single horse's head, and recast from a plaster mold.
Pariser Platz, Brandenburger Tor, Berlin-Mitte
Quadriga auf dem Brandenburger Tor (Johann Gottfried Schadow, 1793) · Pariser Platz, 10117 Berlin-Mitte · 1793 · Rekonstruktion 1957
True autopoiesis from our history — an AI embodiment, grounded in documented work and imagery.
BerliNike.Art · A living monument
Documented basis· 3
Each of these statements appears on the site of the institution that owns the object, or of the responsible public body. The link leads to the source.
In Roman mythology, Victoria is regarded as the daughter of Pallas and Styx — the personified goddess of victory, called Nike by the Greeks.
Original wording of the source (German) „Victoria , ( Röm. M. ), Tochter des Pallas und der Styx ; der personificirte Sieg (die Griechen nannten sie Nikê )."
Source: Vollmer, Wilhelm: Wörterbuch der Mythologie. Stuttgart 1874, S. 445 — Zeno.org · verified 2026-08-17
Victoria was most often depicted in connection with other gods, who usually carry her on their hand — such as Jupiter, Minerva or Venus.
Original wording of the source (German) „Sie wurde am häufigsten in Verbindung mit anderen Göttern dargestellt, welche sie dann gewöhnlich auf der Hand tragen, z.B. Jupiter , Minerva , Venus ."
Source: Vollmer, Wilhelm: Wörterbuch der Mythologie. Stuttgart 1874, S. 445 — Zeno.org · verified 2026-08-17
According to tradition, Victoria also appears with the winners of ancient chariot races, guiding their horses.
Original wording of the source (German) „Auch mit Siegern in den Kampfspielen, deren Rosse sie lenkt, kommt sie vor."
Source: Vollmer, Wilhelm: Wörterbuch der Mythologie. Stuttgart 1874, S. 445 — Zeno.org · verified 2026-08-17
The Sound of the Era
Egmont — Overture · Ludwig van Beethoven, 1810
Beethoven's music of occupation and liberation — written in the very years Victoria stood in Paris as Napoleon's loot.
Recording: Czech National Symphony Orchestra · Public Domain (Musopen)
In art · 3 historical paintings
