In this new quarrel between the ancients and the moderns, the National Commission for Heritage and Architecture (CNPA) took a position on July 11: the body of the Ministry of Culture is requesting that the six 19th century stained glass windows in Notre-Dame de Paris be kept, in place of the modern creations envisaged by the State and the Diocese of Paris. “Artistic creation in historic monuments cannot lead to sacrificing heritage elements”explains in a press release Albéric de Montgolfier, president of the CNPA, to justify this unanimous opinion.
The expert report on which the commission bases its opinion mentions berries “in good condition, cleaned and renovated”spared by the fire of the cathedral. The CNPA does not close the door to a modern intervention, but asks that it not take place in the six bays of the south aisle retained by the diocese and the Ministry of Culture.
The project leaders of the modern stained glass project have decided to disregard this advisory opinion from the CNPA. The Minister of Culture Rachida Dati announced in a press release that she is continuing the process of selecting a winning group. The commission will be consulted again at the end of the year, in order to “in order to assess, in light of the (winning) project, the interest for the cathedral of the contribution of this creation”although it spoke out against the very principle of intervention.
“We will see when the winner is announced at the start of the school year if civil society is not won over”explains Bernard Blistène, president of the consultation jury, to our colleagues at La Croix. The candidate group led by the artist Pascal Convert, and the master glassmaker Olivier Juteau, has decided to withdraw from the race, “thereby respecting the vote of the CNAP”.
Announced by the President of the Republic on December 8, 2023, the installation of modern stained glass windows to replace those of Viollet-le-Duc has sparked a strong reaction among heritage stakeholders. A petition initiated by the activist blog The Art Tribune has thus collected more than 140,000 signatures opposed to this intervention.
