A quick update from Paris: Notre Dame
Bonjour from Paris! I am writing from the lobby of an adorable boutique hotel, only a ten minute walk away from the Arc de Triomphe. It’s way past midnight and I am still sipping on a cup of coffee (surprise, surprise). The concierge left the lobby bar open just to cater my caffeine addiction. I’ve fallen in love with this boutique experience– I couldn’t imagine staying anywhere else in Paris.
Most importantly, I have finally reunited with Lindsay and put an end to the unbearable separation anxiety! We took a lot of photos, but I can only post a brief update because I need to catch up on sleep and pack for Brussels tomorrow. Once I’m back in New York I promise a greedy flood of photos. I warn you, they are quite incredible! Here’s a little sneak peak featuring our visit to Notre Dame. Our outfit identifications will be included in an upcoming entry.
I love everything about Notre Dame, but I can never conclude a trip to the cathedral without paying tribute to the portal sculptures. The grotesque figures are incredible! In fact, some Romantic painters actually looked back to the grotesque elements of medieval art. That’s why the figures in the second archivolt (pictured above) may remind you of Goya (see below), and the creatures in the third archivolt may ever-so-slightly nudge you to the compositional elements of Delacroix. I used to get bored by a good amount of Medieval art until I was liberated by the Romantics…
Francisco Goya, Pilgrimage to St. Isidore, 1819-23, Museo del Prado, Madrid.
(Lindsay, I’m sorry you have to go through this!)
Hair pulling usually alludes to sexual sin in Medieval art. The woman pictured above is being punished (probably for masturbation or adultery) by perpetually bearing the weight of the cathedral upon her shoulders.
I love Gothic architecture. Pointed arches and rose windows are the sexiest things ever.
There is a lovely park behind the cathedral that doesn’t attract so many visitors.
I leave you with a majestic view of Paris atop the Arc de Triomphe, as a prelude to an upcoming entry. Hope you are all having a wonderful spring break so far!
