Devouring flames, a cloud of smoke, the mythical spire collapsing… A little over five years ago, part of Notre-Dame de Paris succumbed to a fire. After years of work, the cathedral will reopen its doors on December 7. One month before this long-awaited opening, a controversy is shaking the art and heritage world: that concerning the creation of six contemporary stained glass windows. They would replace those of Eugène Viollet-le-Duc, installed in 1864. While the duo of contemporary artists has just been chosen to create these future stained glass windows, this decision is debated.
A yellow construction crane overlooks Notre-Dame. Facing the building, in impeccable suit, Didier Rykner, art historian and founder of The Art Tribune. He points with his chin to the south facade, where the stained glass windows are embedded: “ These are decorative stained glass windows, geometric stained glass windows, which were designed by Eugène Viollet-le-Duc, for the cathedral, specifically, in a neo-Gothic spirit. »
The original stained glass windows escaped the fire of April 2019. They are in good condition, but they were still restored thanks to donor money. However, they will be replaced by contemporary stained glass windows. It is the wish ofEmmanuel Macron and the Archbishop of Paris, Monseigneur Ulrich, to keep a trace of the 21st century on the cathedral. A decision to which Didier Rykner strongly opposes:
“ It’s not against contemporary stained glass windows, it’s against the idea of replacing existing stained glass windows, which are classified as historic monuments, with stained glass windows which may be good or perhaps not good, it doesn’t matter. This is not possible, these stained glass windows are very large, they have a surface area of 120 m². So, they’re going to checkout, let’s be clear. It’s absurd. »
The historian launched an online petition to preserve the stained glass windows. She collected more than 200,000 signatures. For Tuviti, a Tahitian tourist, heritage is not fixed. On the contrary, it must be alive: “ We must bring our touch to our times, it’s very important. It also tells the story and it keeps this story and its charm. »
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A controversial project
The historian and writer Camille Pascal is one of the specialists who defend this audacious project: “ It’s a question of measurement, logic and consistency. When we proposed putting a sort of luminous beacon above Notre-Dame, it is normal that it would shock. But that we can, from time to time, leave room for the expression of contemporary French art, that absolutely does not shock me. »
Eight artists were pre-selected by competition. The installation of the new stained glass windows could cost several million euros: “If we have great contemporary artists who create stained glass windows that mark the history of contemporary art, it will be an excellent investment. The biggest names in contemporary art have given stained glass windows, Soulages or Chagall… It’s superb. »
Last July, the National Commission for Heritage and Architecture ruled against the installation of these new stained glass windows. Some associations, such as Site and Monuments, say they are already ready to take legal action.
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