Gallery II: Side Room
Notre-Dame de Paris
Notre-Dame de Paris is located in France. It's name translates out to Our Lady of Paris. As such, within France, it is located at Paris. For a better idea of where this is, the map below has been provided. Also noted on the map are prime Cathedral locales.
The gargoyles and chimeres of Notre-Dame de Paris are known throughout the world. They are perhaps the most famous of all of this type of grotesque art known to man. As such, perhaps you would like first to see where they come from. Why is this Notre-Dame capable of being called by merely Notre-Dame? Why, when you mention that name, do people automatically think of Paris? Well, below is a picture of this Cathedral, you may see for yourself.
Having seen the Cathedral, and having earlier seen the statues from it, perhaps you would like to know more about the gargoyles themselves. Below, they are reproduced in miniature, and beside them you may find some helpful though albeit grotesque information. Again, each of these images can be found within various sources in the research section of this museum.
The Exhibits in Miniature
The Vampire
This creature is a classic chimere. Chimeres are generally structures that are true to the grotesque style, yet they do not divert water as gargoyles do. It's name (Vampire) derives from tradition. It is probably one of the more recent structures considering the more complex detail of the sculpture. Return
Monster with Wings
Of the various types of Grotesques, this is a gargoyle. And of the varieties of gargoyles, this is a grotesque gargoyle. These were among the enormous monster population [of] the Middle Ages (Benton 1997). These were terrifying creatures that cannot really belong to any other catagory. Return
Row of Human and Animal Gargoyles
These gargoyles show precisely what the traditional function of a gargoyle was during the Mediaeval Period. They functionally were meant to prevent water from damaging the buildings that they were on. In a sense they were an old version of todays rain gutter. Return
Gargoyles on Top
These gargoyles are far more defined and would therefore be from the later stages of the Mediaeval Period. Found at the tops of high columns they would spew water onto the roof below which in turn would feed other gargoyles to clear the rain water from a building. They were the top of a chain of events, so to speak. Return
Chimere in Human Form
Here is truly a frightening fellow. The detail on this piece is superb as he looks out over Paris. He cannot be simply called human however. Close up one can see the fur rising from the tops of his haunches. Perhaps he was sculptor's rendition of a satyr. Return
Demon Devouring Human Soul
Generally speaking this is a chimere. More particularly it is a demon. Many times a sculpture would reveal a story to people. Being found on a Cathedral, this sculpture warns of what could happen if a person were to lead an unjust life. It stands as a fairly frightening reminder. Return
The Alchemist
Here is one of the most detailed pieces that this curator has seen. From the tip of his nose to down to his belt, all was done with extreme care and style. Yet another chimere is looking onto Paris. Yet what is it he is looking for? Perhaps the secrets of metallurgy are hidden somewhere in the city. Who is to say? His name like that of The Vampire derives from tradition. Return
In case you entered the museum by a route other than the Introduction and need further explanation of the terms Streaker, Stroller and Student, please refer to the Introduction. Thank-you.
Visitor Comments Introduction Gargoyles and Chimeres of Notre-Dame de Reims Notre-Dame de Reims
