Leo Martínez
The Notre-Dame Cathedral in Paris is an iconic landmark that has inspired artists for centuries, from painters to sculptors and writers. The cathedral itself is home to a variety of paintings, including The Visitation by Jean Jouvenet, which illustrates the life of the Virgin Mary, and Saint Thomas Aquinas, Fountain of Wisdom by Antoine Nicolas. The cathedral also houses a collection of Mays or Grands Mays, large paintings that were commissioned annually from 1630 to 1707 by the Parisian goldsmith guild. These works of art were created by the most prominent painters of the time and number seventy-six in total. Unfortunately, many of these paintings were damaged in the 2019 fire, and subsequently removed for conservation.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Date of Paintings | 17th and 18th centuries |
| Donors | Commissioned by the cathedral's canons and the goldsmiths' guild |
| Subject Matter | Religious paintings, including "The Visitation" and "Saint Thomas Aquinas, Fountain of Wisdom" |
| Artists | Jean Jouvenet, Antoine Nicolas, Jacques-Louis David, Georges Rouget, Maurice Ouradou, Luc-Olivier Merson, William-Adolphe Bouguereau, Charles Guilloux, James Holland, Stanislas Lépine, Dora Altounyan, Herbert James Gunn, Leonard Squirrell, Bernard Kay, Geoffrey Scowcroft Fletcher, Johan Barthold Jongkind, Henri Matisse |
| Art Type | Oil paintings, drawings, etchings, photographs |
| Location of Paintings | Inside the cathedral, in the choir, and in the Gothic hall at the level of the rose window |
| Additional Information | The cathedral also features stained glass windows and sculptures |
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What You'll Learn
Paintings inside Notre Dame
The Notre-Dame de Paris is a medieval Catholic cathedral located on the Île de la Cité in Paris, France. It is one of the world's great works of architecture and houses many historically and artistically valuable items, including paintings, pipe organs, religious relics, and one-of-a-kind stained-glass installations.
The paintings preserved at Notre-Dame date back to the 17th and 18th centuries and were commissioned by the cathedral's canons from renowned Parisian painters, showcasing the artistic prowess of religious painting in Paris during that era. In the 16th century, the goldsmiths' guild initiated a tradition of presenting a painting to Notre-Dame every May 1st. This custom evolved in the 17th century into large paintings known as "the Mays of Notre-Dame." By 1708, seventy-six paintings had been donated, but the practice was discontinued, and the artworks were confiscated and distributed to regional museums.
Some of the notable paintings inside Notre-Dame include "The Visitation" by Jean Jouvenet, "Saint Thomas Aquinas, Fountain of Wisdom" by Antoine Nicolas, and six paintings depicting the life of the Virgin Mary, commissioned by canon Antoine de La Porte for Louis XIV. Thirteen of the "Grands Mays" hang in Notre-Dame, though they sustained water damage during the 2019 fire and were removed for conservation.
The cathedral has inspired numerous artists over the centuries, including Stanislas Lépine, who captured the apse of Notre Dame in his painting "Pont de la Tournelle" from 1862 to 1864. Other artists who have depicted Notre-Dame in their works include William-Adolphe Bouguereau, Charles Guilloux, Jacques-Louis David, Dora Altounyan, Herbert James Gunn, and Leonard Squirrell.
The fire that engulfed Notre-Dame in 2019 threatened its invaluable treasures, including the paintings, and highlighted the importance of their preservation and protection.
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Paintings of Notre Dame
The Notre-Dame de Paris, or the Cathedral of Our Lady of Paris, is a medieval Catholic cathedral located on the Île de la Cité in Paris, France. It is one of the world's great works of architecture and has inspired artists for centuries, with its interior and exterior being captured in various paintings.
History of Art in Notre Dame
In the Middle Ages, paintings adorned the portals and the rood screen around the choir. However, due to weathering, these exterior paintings have disappeared. The cathedral does not possess any paintings from the Middle Ages.
In the 16th century, the goldsmiths' guild began a tradition of offering a painting to Notre Dame every May 1st. This tradition evolved in the 17th century into large paintings known as "the Mays of Notre-Dame" or "grands mays". The subject matter was restricted to episodes from the Acts of the Apostles, and the commission was awarded to the most prominent painters. By 1708, seventy-six paintings had been donated by the guild, but the custom was discontinued that year due to financial reasons.
Notable Paintings of Notre Dame
- In 1804, Jacques-Louis David painted The Coronation of Napoleon, which depicted the coronation of Emperor Napoleon I inside the cathedral.
- In 1890, William-Adolphe Bouguereau painted The Bohemian.
- In 1895, an unknown photographer captured the interior of Notre Dame in a coloured photograph.
- In 1898, Charles Guilloux painted Notre Dame at Twilight.
- In 1900, Donald Shaw MacLaughlan created an etching of Notre Dame.
- In 1911, Dora Altounyan painted Notre Dame.
- In 1913, Herbert James Gunn, a Scottish-British artist, also painted the cathedral.
- In 1927, British artist Bernard Kay created a depiction of Notre Dame.
- In 1999, Geoffrey Scowcroft Fletcher painted Notre Dame, Reflections, capturing the north and south towers of the cathedral reflected in the waters of the Seine.
Paintings Housed in Notre Dame
In addition to inspiring artists, Notre Dame has also acquired and housed many historically and artistically valuable items over the centuries. Some notable paintings that were housed in Notre Dame include:
- The Visitation, painted by Jean Jouvenet in 1707 (or 1716 according to another source).
- Saint Thomas Aquinas, Fountain of Wisdom, painted by Antoine Nicolas in 1648.
- Thirteen of the grands mays that were donated by the goldsmiths' guild, which suffered water damage during the 2019 fire and were removed for conservation.
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The Mays of Notre-Dame
The Mays were commissioned by the guild until 1708, when financial difficulties led to the dissolution of the goldsmiths' guild and the end of the tradition. In total, seventy-six Mays were created, of which about fifty still exist. Eleven hung in the cathedral at the time of the fire in 2019 and were subsequently removed for conservation and restoration.
The large Mays were initially placed in front of the Virgin's altar before finding their way to various locations within the cathedral as the collection grew. The paintings were highly coveted commissions, often awarded to young, promising painters. They provided a unique opportunity for permanent public exhibition in an era before museums existed. The competition among artists for these commissions drove them to create masterful works, enhancing their reputations and attracting collectors' attention.
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Medieval art
The Notre-Dame Cathedral in Paris does not possess any paintings from the Middle Ages. During this period, religious paintings primarily existed in the form of icons, which were small and easily transportable. Paintings also decorated chests and tabernacles. From the 13th century onwards, many families and trade guilds expressed their devotion to Mary by commissioning chapel decorations.
In the 16th century, the goldsmiths' guild began the tradition of offering a painting to Notre-Dame every May 1st. This tradition evolved in the 17th century into large paintings known as "the Mays of Notre-Dame". Seventy-six paintings were donated by 1708, when the custom was discontinued for financial reasons. Those works were confiscated in 1793 and the majority were subsequently dispersed among regional museums in France. Those that remained in the cathedral were removed or relocated within the building by 19th-century restorers. Thirteen of the grands mays hung in Notre-Dame before the fire of 2019, and they were removed for conservation after suffering water damage.
The paintings preserved at Notre-Dame date back to the 17th and 18th centuries and were commissioned by the cathedral's canons from the most illustrious Parisian painters. They bear witness to the artistic quality of religious painting in Paris at that time. The cathedral's stained glass windows, known as the "Rose Windows", reflect the medieval art's taste for colour. In the Middle Ages, paintings adorned the portals and the rood screen around the choir. However, due to weathering, these have entirely disappeared from the exterior of the building.
Some notable paintings that were in Notre-Dame before the 2019 fire include:
- "The Visitation" by Jean Jouvenet, which depicts the Virgin Mary and was painted in 1707 or 1716
- "Saint Thomas Aquinas, Fountain of Wisdom" by Antoine Nicolas, painted in 1648
- "Adoration of the Magi" by Charles de La Fosse, now in the Louvre
- "Coronation of Napoleon" by Jacques-Louis David, painted in 1807
Notre-Dame has inspired many artists over the centuries, including Henri Matisse, who painted the cathedral numerous times between 1900 and 1914, and Johan Barthold Jongkind, who frequently painted the cathedral in the 1860s.
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Paintings lost in the 2019 fire
Notre-Dame de Paris, a medieval Catholic cathedral in Paris, France, is home to several paintings dating back to the 17th and 18th centuries. These paintings were commissioned by the cathedral's canons and created by the most illustrious Parisian painters of the time.
On April 15, 2019, a devastating fire broke out at the cathedral, threatening the priceless artworks and artefacts housed within. While many treasures were saved, some were lost or damaged by the fire, smoke, or water.
Thirteen of the "Grands Mays" or "The Mays of Notre-Dame" paintings, which were donated annually by the goldsmiths' guild starting in the 16th century, suffered water damage during the fire and had to be removed for conservation. These paintings were already relocated within the building by 19th-century restorers.
Other paintings that were at risk during the fire include an altarpiece depicting "The Visitation," painted by Jean Jouvenet in 1707, and six paintings depicting the life of the Virgin Mary, commissioned by the canon Antoine de La Porte for Louis XIV. The fate of these paintings is unclear, but they may have been impacted by smoke damage, as suggested by French Culture Minister Franck Riester.
While the full extent of the damage to the artworks and relics is still unknown, it is believed that 90% of the irreplaceable treasures were saved, thanks to the efforts of firefighters and emergency responders who formed a human chain to rescue the most precious and significant pieces.
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Frequently asked questions
The paintings stored in Notre Dame Cathedral date back to the 17th and 18th centuries and were commissioned by the cathedral's canons from the most illustrious Parisian painters. In the 16th century, the goldsmiths' guild began the tradition of offering a painting to Notre-Dame every May 1st. This tradition evolved in the 17th century into large paintings known as "the Mays of Notre-Dame".
During the fire that took place in 2019, many of the paintings suffered water damage and were removed for conservation.
Yes, in addition to the paintings, the cathedral is home to pipe organs, religious relics, and one-of-a-kind stained-glass installations.
