Study for "Flying Victory"

This small, circular wax relief shows a dynamic figure of Victory, wings outstretched and drapery swirling around her as she moves forward. Her pose suggests a moment of triumphant flight, with her left arm raised, perhaps holding a wreath or a palm branch that is not fully depicted here. The sculptor, William Wyon, created this study in 1825, a few years before he became chief engraver at the Royal Mint. He was known for his neoclassical designs, which emphasized classical forms and idealized figures. Here, the soft, malleable wax medium allows for a remarkable sense of movement and volume in the figure, capturing the delicate folds of fabric and the musculature of her form in a way that would later be translated into the more rigid medium of metal for coins and medals. This study offers a rare glimpse into the preliminary stages of a design intended for a larger, more public work, showcasing the artist's skill in modeling a figure in high relief.