French figurative painter Claire Tabouret has been selected to design contemporary stained-glass windows for six chapels in the iconic Notre-Dame de Paris, following a competition organized by the French Ministry of Culture. This announcement comes as the Gothic cathedral recently reopened to the public after extensive restoration efforts following a devastating fire in 2019 that caused significant damage to the historic structure.
### A Modern Twist to a Historic Landmark
Tabouret’s selection was approved by French president Emmanuel Macron and Archbishop of Paris, Laurent Ulrich, from a competitive pool of 110 entrants. The forty-three-year-old artist, based in Los Angeles, is known for her distinctive style that infuses a sense of fervor and emotion into her compositions, as highlighted by art critic Sarah Moroz. Tabouret intends to depict a diverse array of individuals celebrating the Pentecost in her stained-glass designs, bringing a contemporary touch to the centuries-old cathedral.
### Collaborating with Master Craftsmen
To bring her vision to life, Tabouret will collaborate with the esteemed studio of Simon-Marq, a Reims-based master glassmaker with a rich history dating back to 1640. The studio has a legacy of working with renowned artists such as Marc Chagall and Joan Miró on stained-glass projects, including restoration work on Notre-Dame de Reims after World War II. The intricate process of researching and producing the new windows is expected to take a total of twenty-four months, with completion slated for the end of 2026.
### Controversy and Resistance
Despite the excitement surrounding Tabouret’s appointment, the project has faced resistance from preservationists and heritage advocates. Organizations like Sites and Monuments have expressed concerns over replacing the original nineteenth-century windows designed by Eugène Viollet-le-Duc, which survived the fire and are considered historically significant. A petition to halt the project has garnered significant support, reflecting the ongoing debate surrounding the balance between preservation and modernization in architectural restoration projects.
As the artistic community eagerly anticipates the unveiling of Claire Tabouret’s contemporary stained-glass windows in Notre-Dame, the project serves as a testament to the intersection of tradition and innovation in cultural heritage conservation. Through the fusion of artistic vision and master craftsmanship, the cathedral’s chapels are poised to receive a vibrant and thought-provoking reinterpretation that will captivate visitors for generations to come.
