14.2 - 19th Century Restoration Notre Dame

Alexandre Lenoir’s Museum of French Monuments

1795, French Revolution - To preserve artworks, fragments, monuments being destroyed during the revolution through historical preservation in chronological ordering.

Memorial to the Deportees

Georges henri pingusson (1960s) behind Notre Dame to commemorate the 200,000 people deported to Nazi concentration camps (ww2) from France. The location emphasizes historical continuity and elements of stone and narrow passages draw on medieval style.

Viollet-le-duc’s Dictionary of French Architecture

1850s - foundation for restoring Gothic monuments with theories, detailed drawings, and analysis of medieval style. The restoration brings buildings to a completed state even if that state didn’t exist before

Viollet-Le-Duc Notre Dame Restoration

Started in 1844 and continued for 25 years. Replaced the sculptures, 19th century paintings, spire, and overall splendor of the building. Was criticized for altering the gothic style with “no foundation of medieval record”

English vs French approaching physical legacy of the crown

in the 1530s Henry VIII broke away from catholic church and sought political and financial power with the dissoultion of monasteries. Seizure and repurposing - churches reused as anglican churches. VS. French who dismantled church’s power and wealth and conveyed widespread de-christianization to erase religious authority.