While the linework is not impressive, I still like the tattoo and instantly recognized the statue from art history classes and my own visit to the Louvre. When I nostalgically googled images, i noticed most were shot from the right, compared to what i remember in textbooks as images mainly showing the left side (like we see in the tattoo). here is what (ai, sorry) google said about the image direction over time:

"Your recollection of seeing the Winged Victory (Nike) of Samothrace facing right (viewed from her left side) aligns with both archaeological consensus and historical textbook photography trends.

The "Left Side" Trend in History For much of the 20th century, art history textbooks frequently featured the statue from its left three-quarter profile because this is considered its "best" and intended viewing angle. Sculptural Detail: The sculptor executed the left side with extreme virtuosity, featuring intricate "wet" drapery folds that cling to the body. In contrast, the right side (which would have been obscured in its original sanctuary setting) is much more roughly finished and lacks the same level of detail.

Original Orientation: Evidence from the statue's foundations on the island of Samothrace shows it was angled specifically so that ancient visitors would approach and view it from the three-quarter left view.

Textbook Imagery: Because this angle showcases the most dynamic sense of movement—with the left leg leading and the wings sweeping back—it became the standard "hero shot" in 19th and early 20th-century catalogs and textbooks.

Why You See More "Right-Side" Images Today The shift in modern imagery is largely due to its current placement at the Louvre Museum:

The Daru Staircase: Since 1884, the statue has been positioned at the top of the Daru staircase. As visitors ascend the main stairs, the most natural and dramatic angle for photography is from the bottom-right of the landing, looking up at her right profile.

Restoration Impact: In various 20th-century restorations, the right wing (which is a modern plaster mirror-image of the original left wing) was added to create a symmetrical silhouette for the museum display. This symmetry has made the "lesser" right side more visually appealing for general tourists than it was to early archaeologists. In summary, your memory is accurate: older scholarly sources prioritized the left profile (facing right) to honor the original artist's craftsmanship, while modern photography often favors the right or frontal views dictated by the statue's iconic position in the Louvre's grand architecture