Artists Pay Tribute to Paris’ Iconic Notre-Dame Cathedral After Devastating Fire

 

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On April 15, 2019, the world-famous Notre-Dame Cathedral in Paris was devastated by a fire. Renowned for its prominent place in Paris, rich religious history, and exquisite Gothic architecture, Notre-Dame Cathedral has been a symbol of the city since it was built in the Middle Ages.

As the fire worked its way across the building's oak and lead roof, it destroyed much of what was in its path, including a large portion of the cathedral's wooden rib-vaulted ceiling, several stained glass windows, and, most dramatically, the building's iconic spire. So much more than structures and decorations, each of these elements has played a pivotal part in Notre-Dame's age-old history, making their absence all the more apparent.

It's important to remember how long Notre-Dame Cathedral has been around to understand the impact its destruction has and will have on the world at large. Its construction commenced in 1163 and was largely finished by 1345. During this 182-year period, four different architects worked on the design, which gradually evolved from a rounded Romanesque church to the Gothic gem we see today. Fortunately, many of the cathedral's most prized features have escaped the recent fire relatively unscathed, including its collections of perched gargoyles and grotesques, dazzling rose windows, and priceless relics.

Since its consecration, Notre-Dame Cathedral has been the epicenter of Paris; physically, it is the site of Paris' point zero, a specific spot from which all distances in France are measured. Much more than this, however, it has come to represent everything that Paris stands for. Surviving iconoclastic riots, the French Revolution, and even two World Wars, it represents Paris' resilience; after all, for 500 years, Paris' official motto has been: Fluctuat nec mergitur, a Latin phrase that means “she is rocked by the waves, but does not sink.”

Inspired by this outlook, many artists around the world have created poignant works following the fire. Here, we take a look at a selection of these pieces—each of which proves that Paris truly will not sink.

Following the devastating fire that destroyed much of Paris' iconic Notre-Dame Cathedral, artists have been paying tribute through their work.

 

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Many of these images capture the iconic beauty of the Gothic cathedral.

 

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…and the effects of the devastating fire.

 

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Some also reference the beloved story, The Hunchback of Notre-Dame.

 

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And, of course, many capture Paris' resilience and share a sense of hope.

 

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Kelly Richman-Abdou

Kelly Richman-Abdou was a Contributing Writer at My Modern Met. An art historian living in Paris, Kelly was born and raised in San Francisco and holds a BA in Art History from the University of San Francisco and an MA in Art and Museum Studies from Georgetown University. When she’s not writing, you can find Kelly wandering around Paris, whether she’s leading a tour (as a guide, she has been interviewed by BBC World News America and France 24) or simply taking a stroll with her husband and two tiny daughters.
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