The Notre-Dame Cathedral in Art (1460–1921) (Part 2)

“Its architecture... possesses something so singular, so bold, and at the same time so delicate, that it has ever been esteemed one of the handsomest structures.” (From vol. 18 of the 1810 Encyclopaedia Londinensis)

"Notre-Dame Cathedral is the very soul of Paris but so much more—it is a touchstone for all that is the best about the world, and a monument to the highest aspirations of artistic achievement that transcends religion and time. It has survived so much—from the French Revolution to Nazi occupation—to watch its devastation is excruciating.” – Barbara Drake Boehm, Paul and Jill Ruddock, Senior Curator for The Met Cloisters.

Like many around the world, we were so sad and shocked to see the Notre-Dame burning — to witness such history in flames. But also relieved to learn now that so much was saved, including the main structure and many of its stunning stained-glass windows. We spent the day yesterday picking out highlights from the many centuries of artworks to feature the iconic building — from its illuminated punctuation of medieval skylines to grainy detailed studies at the birth of photography. We are presenting them here in rough chronological order, which we hope gives a sense of how this magnificent building — more than eight centuries old — has inspired and outlasted so many epochs and lives and, thanks to the dedication of another generation of craftspeople, will continue to do so.

Text by Adam Green

The Portal of the Virgin, a photograph by Joseph Philibert Girault de Prangey, 1841 — Source.

Plan for the Renovation of a Chapel in the Nave of the Cathedral of Notre Dame, by Jean-Baptiste-Antoine Lassus, 1843 — Source.

Regarding One of the Gargoyles of Nôtre-Dame de Paris, a drawing by Charles Méryon, 1853 — Source.

The Vampire, an etching by Charles Méryon, 1853 — Source.

Notre-Dame, a waxed paper negative and salted paper print by Charles Nègre, ca. 1853 — Source.

The Vampire, a photograph by Charles Nègre, 1853 — Source.

Saint-Michel bridge, a photograph by Auguste-Hippolyte Collard, 1857 — Source.

View of spire, roof with statuary, and cityscape beyond, photograph by Charles Marville, ca. 1860 — Source.

Notre-Dame, photograph by Édouard Baldus, 1860 — Source.

Nôtre Dame, a painting by Félix_Bracquemond, 1870 — Source.

Wall paintings of the chapels of Notre-Dame de Paris: executed on the boards of E. Viollet-Le-Duc recorded by Maurice Ouradou, 1870 — Source.

Gargoyle at Notre Dame, unknown photographer, ca. 1870 — Source.

Access portal of Notre Dame, unknown photographer, ca. 1870 — Source.

Unknown photographer, ca. 1870 — Source.

Gargoyles, Notre Dame, a photograph by Adolphe Giraudon, ca. 1875 — Source.

The comet Donati over Paris on 4th October 1858, from 'Le ciel' by Amédée Guillemin, 1877 — Source.

Notre-Dame de Paris, a painting by Luc-Olivier Merson, ca. 1881 — Source.

Door portal of Notre Dame, unknown photographer, ca. 1875-1900 — Source.

Gargolyes, unknown photographer, ca. 1875-1900 — Source.

The Bohemian, a painting by William-Adolphe Bouguereau, 1890 — Source.

Notre Dame, and St. Michael bridge, ca. 1890 — Source.

Notre Dame, interior, coloured photograph, ca. 1895 — Source.

Notre-Dame de Paris, by W. T. Horton and featured in his A Book of Images, 1898 — Source.

Notre Dame at twilight, a painting by Charles Guilloux, ca. 1898 — Source.

Discovery of the Lutèce enclosure, update of the surrounding wall. Photo taken from the minutes of the Municipal Commission of Old Paris, January 28, 1898 — Source.