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Notre-Dame's New Light: Artistic Debate Ignites
11 Jan
Summary
- Contemporary windows designed by artist Claire Tabouret are replacing original Notre-Dame glass.
- The new designs for Pentecost feature bright, mouth-blown glass with balanced colors.
- Heritage groups question the replacement of undamaged original 19th-century windows.
Contemporary stained-glass windows by artist Claire Tabouret are set to be installed in Notre-Dame Cathedral, replacing six of the seven windows on its south aisle. These new designs, created in collaboration with the Simon-Marq studio, draw inspiration from the theme of Pentecost, utilizing mouth-blown glass in bright, balanced colors intended to complement the natural light.
The project has ignited controversy, with some heritage organizations, like La Tribune de l'Art, criticizing the decision to replace original 19th-century windows designed by Eugène Viollet-le-Duc, particularly as they were not damaged by the 2019 fire. Tabouret acknowledges the historical context and architectural constraints, stating her aim is to serve the framework and integrate seamlessly with the cathedral's existing elements.
Tabouret defends the project as a vital step for the ongoing vitality of heritage sites, arguing that monuments cannot be frozen in time and must evolve. The new windows, expected to be installed by late 2026, aim to echo Viollet-le-Duc's original ornaments, creating a harmonious transition and a leitmotif throughout the bays, illustrating key moments of Pentecost.
