Announced on September 4, the historic glass windows at Notre Dame Cathedral will be replaced by modern artwork by the French Ministry of Culture. However, not everyone is on board.
According to ART News, France's decision has quickly raised concerns as it could violate the 1964 Venice Charter on the preservation of cultural heritage.
This photograph shows a general view during an interreligious meeting on the Parvis of Notre Dame de Paris cathedral in Paris on August 4, 2024, organized on the sidelines of the Paris 2024 Olympic Games and echoing the interreligious ceremony of the 1924 Olympic Games. This interreligious meeting, called for by Thomas Bach, addresses the question: "How does sport mobilize the best for mankind and humanity?".THIBAUD MORITZ/AFP via Getty Images
How France Will Replace Notre Dame Cathedral's Windows
ART News further detailed that the project would involve the selection of new stained glass designs from among eight finalists, which includes contemporary artists such as aniel Buren, Jean-Michael Alberola, Philippe Parreno, and more.
The winner, chosen by Archbishop Laurent Ulrich of Paris and French President Emmanuel Macron, is expected to be announced on December 8, upon the reopening of the cathedral.
One of the well-known artists, Pascal Convert, withdrew from the competition following the refusal by the Commission. It maintains that the rebuilding of windows that were untouched by fire in 2019 constitutes a breach of the Venice Charter. This international treaty stipulates minimal changes on an ancient site, making it permissible only when absolutely needed.
Protest Against Notre Dame Cathedral's Windows Replacement
As of January, The Tablet reported that over 130,000 signatures have already been signed against the replacement project.
While the new windows will be an artistic breakthrough, they will spoil the historic look of one of the most well-known buildings in the world. "The windows were part of the cathedral's original design and are integral to its historical value," said a National Heritage Commission representative to ART News.
President Macron presented the idea and stated that the inclusion of modern works of art would introduce a new light to the place, per The Art Newspaper. At the same time, the French Ministry of Culture stands its ground and says that the new stained glass windows will contribute even greater cultural value to the place and may even make it better.
