The treasures of Notre Dame: works and vestiges of the great French cathedral

Nearly two centuries – between 1163 and 1345 – took to build. This is part of the heritage of humanity. It is home to a thousand stories and secrets. Its Gothic style stands out in the middle of the Parisian architecture of the new millennium. It is a must for anyone crossing the French capital. And now, in those precise moments, a fire threatens to destroy it. What does the iconic Notre Dame Cathedral mean for the history of the West and what works and relics might be affected by the flames?

From afar, from the atrium, it looks impeccable. It seems perfect, harmonious, with its portals, its imposing height, its beautiful statues. But, looking closer, you can see unbalanced columns and pinnacles (some had to be reinforced), cracked stones, flying buttresses in poor condition and even some of their gargoyles replaced by PVC pipes …

A few hours ago, it seemed harmonious and impeccable. In 2017, the diocese of Paris made an agreement with the French executive to restore this almost millennial cathedral, the oldest of the great figures of Paris. Dedicated to Mary, mother of Jesus Christ, it is located on the small island of La Cité, surrounded by the waters of the Seine.

Its length is imposing: 5500 square meters as a whole, a cruciform plant with five naves and double ambulatory. But its symbolic value is always immeasurable. Just quote, for example, the author Victor Hugowhen he wrote in the novel Notre Dame of Paris from 1831, "the cathedral was not only his companion, it was the universe, but Nature itself".

And what's in it? What are the artistic treasures of this architectural giant of Western culture? Below you will find a short list of works that may be irreversibly damaged by the fire.

Piedad, by Nicolas Coustou

At the head of the cathedral, there is a monument that stands out. He's calling Piety -O The descent of the cross– and it's a sculpture made by Nicolas Coustou in the eighteenth century.

The organ of Aristide Cavaillé-Coll

An instrument is a work of art in itself. Not only made art too that's it. In Notre Dame Cathedral, there is a main organ that is really impressive. He did it Aristide Cavaillé-Coll – Regarded as one of the greatest organbuilders of the nineteenth century, for its combination of science and aesthetics – it is endowed with a casing adorned with automata. In addition, the position of titular organist of Notre Dame is one of the highest honors a musician can claim. This place was occupied, for example, by Louis Vierne between 1900 and 1937.

Large paintings accompanied by poems in the honor of the Virgin. This is what you see inside the cathedral. They belong to a series: _The Grand Mays. Initially, 66 tables were created. Many were seized in 1793, but many were returned. Today, there are still fifty or so of these paintings in Notre Dame. Only thirteen are exposed to the public. Between them, The descent of the Holy Spirit (1634) Jacques Blanchardand Saint Peter healing the sick with his shadow (1635) and The conversion of Saint Paul (1637) Laurent de la Hyre.

The 28 kings before Christ

There are 28 figures located twenty meters above the ground. They represent the 28 generations of the kings of Judea who preceded Christ. Each statue is more than three meters high. They have been restored by Jean-Baptiste Lbadus and Viollet-le-Duc in 1844, almost a year ago, the statues were beheaded in 1793 during the French Revolution.

Saint Thomas of Aquin, Antoine Nicolas

The date is not exact but this table, entitled St. Thomas of Aquinas, date of the year 1648. It is attributed to the painter. Antoine Nicolas. He does not know who this picture was made for. He belonged to the community of the Dominicans of Saint-Maur-des-Faussés, established in Langres in 1621. He arrived at the convent of the Annunciation of the Faubourg Saint-Honoré around 1950 and was finally given to the Notre cathedral Lady in 1974, on the occasion of the seventh centenary of the death of St. Thomas.

The Good God, by Adolphe-Victor Geoffroy-Dechaume

Standing on the jetty of the Last Judgment portal, one of the most remarkable works of Adolphe-Victor Geoffroy-Dechaume is imposing. C & # 39; The beautiful god of Notre Dame made in the nineteenth century by Adolphe-Victor Geoffroy-Dechaume. It is a humanized Christ many times realized at different times.