That first day I spent with the first sculpture I saw, the Winged Victory of Samothrace.

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The 49-year-old, who was handed a three-year term, has been with the Louvre since 2007 and is leading the restoration of the famed headless Greek sculpture, the Winged Victory of Samothrace.

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One of the finest Gibeons was offered at Christie's in April, a 99-pound piece dubbed the Victoire de Samothrace, which has more than a passing resemblance to its famously winged namesake--and considerably more flying experience.

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