Apr 15, 2019 and so if notre dame is irrevocably damaged, it might be a good time to turn to one of the greatest celebrations of what the cathedral represents, which appears in victor hugo s the hunchback of. The notre dame cathedral is a marvel of french gothic architecture. He aimed to bring attention to the gothic architecture he viewed as. Victor hugos the hunchback of notredame was so influential that it changed public opinion on gothic architecture, saving a cathedral in the process. Our lady of paris is a french gothic novel by victor hugo, published in 1831. Notre dame our lady, virgin mary is by no accident situated in the very center of the city.
The cathedral was consecrated to the virgin mary and considered to be one of the finest examples of french gothic architecture. Hugo s publications were the backdrop for a number of important french illustrators. Hugo was certain to have recognized, as he wrote the hunchback of notredame, that gothic architecture was falling out of favor. Abbot suger of saintdenis, on the french capitals outskirts, invented this art style in the.
Its pioneering use of the rib vault and flying buttress, its enormous and colourful rose windows, as well as the naturalism and abundance of its sculptural decoration set it apart from the earlier romanesque style. In the hunchback of notredame, victor hugo makes frequent reference to the architecture of the cathedral of notre dame in paris. The drifting language of architectural accessibility in victor hugos. Apr 15, 2019 hugo is the most notable example, of course. Paris was not quite in the victorian age, but there was a sense of. Apr 16, 2019 victor hugo s novel about a hunchback saved it. Paris was not quite in the victorian age, but there was a.
The novel has been described as a key text in french literature and has been adapted for film over a dozen times, as well as numerous television and stage adaptations. This onepage guide includes a plot summary and brief analysis of the hunchback of notredame by victor hugo. Victor hugo s gothic french romantic novel the hunchback of notredame was first published in 1831. He dedicated his 19th century novel the hunchback of notre damewhich in french is called simply notre. Apr 16, 2019 the notre dame cathedral is a marvel of french gothic architecture. The hunchback of notredame, by victor hugo was published in january, 1831. It is a little known fact that notre dame had around 11 million visitors yearly until the fire which was more than disneyland paris, the most visited theme park in europe. He also mentions the invention of the printing press, when the bookmaker near the beginning of the work speaks of the german pest. The ballet was inspired by victor hugos masterpiece, with its colourful characters. Dec 10, 2017 victor hugo wrote the hunchback of notre dame in part to raise awareness of undervalued gothic architecture in paris dec 10, 2017 nikola simonovski victor hugo, a poet and novelist, was born in 1802 and belonged to the romantic movement. The story of notredame, of how it has changed and survived for. The hunchback of notre dame summary, characters, book. Notre dame in paris inspired the worlds most influential. Victor hugos spirit of romanticism once heartened frenchmen to save notre dame cathedral.
In 1832 hugo wrote a book on the famous cathedral in paris, notre dame. The hunchback of notre dame, victor hugos novel, saved a. He directs the eyes of two visitors from a book on his desk to the massive silhouette of notre dame cathedral beyond his door, frollo then announces. Victor hugo wrote the hunchback of notre dame in part to raise awareness of undervalued gothic architecture in paris dec 10, 2017 nikola simonovski victor hugo, a poet and novelist, was born in 1802 and belonged to the romantic movement. It was called by three names which explain its history, its destination, and its architecture. Notre dame and the culture it inspired from matisse to. Having relied on the nation in the past, notredame has always been able to rely on the generosity of benefactors who own works linked to his history and those who can, by giving money, allow it to make acquisitions and help restore the work it possesses. This led to a major restoration project between 1844 and 1864, supervised by eugene violletleduc. Hugo conceived of the hunchback of notre dame as a story of the cathedral itself and devoted two chapters of the novel to describing it. Victor hugos spirit of romanticism once heartened frenchmen.
Visits, 800 year history, architecture and dimensions. France has rebuilt its iconic cathedral before actor charles laughton in the role of the hunchback of notre dame in 1939. The hunchback of notredame is a french gothic novel by victor hugo. The hunchback of notre dame, victor hugos novel, saved. And so if notre dame is irrevocably damaged, it might be a good time to turn to one of the greatest celebrations of what the cathedral represents, which appears in. Victor hugo portrayed notre dame as the ultimate enabling space.
Under the pen of the writer, our lady comes alive and touches people around the world. Be part of a somptuous hour of organ to honor jeansebastien bach and the greatest french composers. It is the most famous of the gothic cathedrals of the middle ages and is distinguished for its size, antiquity, and architectural interest. Victor hugo salvo notre dame por primera vez con una. How a novel saved notredame and changed perceptions of. During a restoration campaign in 2019, a fire broke out in the cathedrals attic, and the massive blaze destroyed most of the roof, violletleducs 19thcentury spire, and some of the rib vaulting. Download it once and read it on your kindle device, pc, phones or tablets. Set in medieval paris, victor hugos powerful historical romance the hunchback of notredame has resonated with succeeding generations ever since its publication in. Join us on a guided tour of one of the most important monument in the city of paris. In it, the author digresses from the gothic tale of a gypsy girl and the hunchback who loves her to expound a pet cultural theory. Victor hugos gothic french romantic novel the hunchback of notredame was first published in 1831. Tradition has it that notredames first stone was laid in 1163 in the presence of pope alexander iii.
Hugos love of intellectual complexity makes this a novel in which architecture represents freedom. How the hunchback of notre dame inspired the cathedrals 19th. Victor hugo s the hunchback of notredame was so influential that it changed public opinion on gothic architecture, saving a cathedral in the process. The gargoyles and figures of notre dame have inspired many artists and writers, including the famous french author victor hugo, who gave the cathedrals gargoyles a prominent role in his work the hunchback of notre dame, which allegedly was written as a means to draw attention to the crumbling cathedral and inspire the restoration of the. There have been a number of filmed versions of hugos tale, though few have remained very faithful to his original storyline. Victor hugo wrote the hunchback of notre dame in part to. It took an idiosyncratic young architect, moved by victor hugos the hunchback of notre dame, to fashion a new meaning for the building.
Notredame underwent major restorations by the french architect eugeneemmanuel violletleduc in the mid19th century. How the french author victor hugo saved notre dame culture trip. Apr 16, 2019 hugo was certain to have recognized, as he wrote the hunchback of notredame, that gothic architecture was falling out of favor. If you enjoyed this video, make sure to subscribe to. Completed in 45, notre dame means our lady in french. Why the cathedral in paris is an architectural icon. Looking nostalgically to the past, a young architect sought to revive the. Cities are temporal as well as spatial, and iconic architecture can be seen as a form of. Napoleon bonaparte crowned himself emperor at notredame on december 2, 1804. The city of paris develops from this cathedral and all roads of france lead to notre dame. Set in paris during the 15th century, the novel centers on quasimodo, the deformed bell ringer of notredame cathedral, and his unrequited love.
Victor hugo wrote the hunchback of notre dame to help preserve the cathedral. Gothic architecture evolved from the romanesque around 1100 ad and. In it, the author digresses from the gothic tale of a gypsy girl and the hunchback who loves her to expound a. The grotesque stories behind the famous gargoyles of notre. French romantic author who also wrote about architecture. Hugo began the novel in 1829 it was his first, he was known only as a poet and dramatist to rouse the french public to the neglect and. Nov 24, 2018 the gargoyles and figures of notre dame have inspired many artists and writers, including the famous french author victor hugo, who gave the cathedrals gargoyles a prominent role in his work the hunchback of notre dame, which allegedly was written as a means to draw attention to the crumbling cathedral and inspire the restoration of the. Note the balance between the vertical towers and the horizontal bands of sculpture and other decorative stonework.