On the Importance of Notre-Dame Cathedral

Following the recent disastrous fire at Notre-Dame Cathedral in Paris, The Metropolitan Museum of Art is offering an occasion for the community to gather. An informal program will take place in the Medieval Sculpture Hall, where Met experts who are familiar with Notre-Dame Cathedral will speak briefly about its importance. On special display for this occasion will be a mid-15th-century manuscript by Jean Fouquet, The Right Hand of God Protecting the Faithful against the Demons, that depicts Notre-Dame. Also nearby will be The Met’s 12th-century Head of King David—originally part of the rich sculptural decoration program of Notre-Dame, but decapitated during the French Revolution. Johan Barthold Jongkind’s The Pont Neuf (1849–50), in which the skyline is punctuated by the cathedral’s towers, will also be on view in European Paintings Gallery 812.

Speakers include:

Daniel Weiss, President and CEO, The Metropolitan Museum of Art

Max Hollein, Director, The Metropolitan Museum of Art

Barbara Drake Boehm, Paul and Jill Ruddock Senior Curator for The Met Cloisters

Lucretia Kargère, Conservator, The Met Cloisters

Nancy Wu, Senior Managing Educator, Public Programs, The Met Cloisters