Contemporary Stained Glass Windows Approved for Notre-Dame Renovation
French artist Claire Tabouret has been selected to design six new stained glass windows, generating mixed reactions over the modern addition to the historic cathedral.
- Claire Tabouret, a French figurative painter, will collaborate with the Simon-Marq glassmaking studio on the project, set for installation in late 2026.
- The windows will replace 19th-century designs by architect Eugène Viollet-le-Duc, which were undamaged in the 2019 fire and will be relocated to a museum or another church.
- The designs, featuring contemplative figures in vibrant hues, aim to bring a contemporary touch to the cathedral while respecting its historic character.
- The project, costing €4 million and backed by French President Emmanuel Macron, has faced criticism from conservation groups and a petition with nearly 250,000 signatures opposing the replacement of existing windows.
- Despite an advisory committee's previous opposition, the French state and Paris diocese have approved the modern stained glass as part of Notre-Dame's restoration effort following its reopening earlier this month.
Art Review 