The Gargoyles of Notre-Dame: Medievalism and the Monsters of ModernityMost of the seven million people who visit the cathedral of Notre Dame in Paris each year probably do not realize that the legendary gargoyles adorning this medieval masterpiece were not constructed until the nineteenth century. The first comprehensive history of these world-famous monsters, The Gargoyles of Notre-Dame argues that they transformed the iconic thirteenth-century cathedral into a modern monument. Michael Camille begins his long-awaited study by recounting architect Eugène Viollet-le-Duc’s ambitious restoration of the structure from 1843 to 1864, when the gargoyles were designed, sculpted by the little-known Victor Pyanet, and installed. These gargoyles, Camille contends, were not mere avatars of the Middle Ages, but rather fresh creations—symbolizing an imagined past—whose modernity lay precisely in their nostalgia. He goes on to map the critical reception and many-layered afterlives of these chimeras, notably in the works of such artists and writers as Charles Méryon, Victor Hugo, and photographer Henri Le Secq. Tracing their eventual evolution into icons of high kitsch, Camille ultimately locates the gargoyles’ place in the twentieth-century imagination, exploring interpretations by everyone from Winslow Homer to the Walt Disney Company. Lavishly illustrated with more than three hundred images of its monumental yet whimsical subjects, The Gargoyles of Notre-Dame is a must-read for historians of art and architecture and anyone whose imagination has been sparked by the lovable monsters gazing out over Paris from one of the world’s most renowned vantage points. |
What people are saying - Write a review
Reviews aren't verified, but Google checks for and removes fake content when it's identified
LibraryThing Review
User Review - jcbrunner - LibraryThingThis unfortunately posthumous publication wonderfully examines the re-imagination and re-discovery of the past. After the enlightenment, the romantic 19th century re-discovered the artistic merits of ... Read full review
Other editions - View all
The Gargoyles of Notre-Dame: Medievalism and the Monsters of Modernity Michael Camille No preview available - 2009 |
Common terms and phrases
already animal appears architect architecture argued artist associated balustrade beasts beautiful become birds body building called carved cathedral century chapter Charles chimeras church close corner created creatures Dame dark death demon described designed devil Dictionnaire drawings early especially etching eyes facade face fact famous female figure France French gargoyles gaze Gothic Gothic art hands head Hugo Hugo’s human illustration imagination important Journal Lassus later looking medieval melancholy Méryon Middle Ages monsters monuments monuments historiques nature nineteenth nineteenth-century Notre-Dame novel original Paris Parisian past period Photo photograph popular present produced published recent represented restoration sculptures seems seen sense sexual shows signs statues stone Stryge suggested symbol things tion tower Victor Viollet-le-Duc wandering Jew woman writing young
Bibliographic information
| Title | The Gargoyles of Notre-Dame: Medievalism and the Monsters of Modernity |
| Author | Michael Camille |
| Edition | illustrated |
| Publisher | University of Chicago Press, 2008 |
| ISBN | 0226092461, 9780226092461 |
| Length | 488 pages |
| Subjects | › Architecture / Decoration & Ornament Art / General Art / Sculpture & Installation |
| Export Citation | BiBTeX EndNote RefMan |