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Essay / Research Paper Abstract
This paper discusses the "flying buttress controversy" surrounding the Notre-Dame cathedral in Paris, France. The main controversy involves when, exactly, buttresses were added to the cathedral's design. Bibliography lists 3 sources.
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5 pages (~225 words per page)
File: D0_MTnotdam.rtf
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century until today. It is a structure that is dripping with history; architectural and otherwise. It is also a structure that has inspired many a fictional account. Victor Hugos The
Hunchback of Notre-Dame is one of the most famous literary pieces to come from both the structure and from Paris. To many others, particularly building experts and architects, the cathedral
is an amazing representation of a variety of architectural styles that were necessary to keep it standing. The last thing that anyone
would consider this structure to be is a source of controversy. Yet, according to a small group of architectural professors, there has been a controversy for decades surrounding the cathedrals
gothic authenticity, as outlined by its "Flying Buttress." While this is not exactly a controversy that would make the major newscasts, it has provided some interesting conversations between architects and
experts who study medieval architecture. The question has been revolving around when, exactly, the flying buttresses, that give the interior so much of its beauty, were actually constructed.
The flying buttress controversy involves placing the cathedral as an example of Early Gothic architectural design or if the buttress was simply a luck
of the draw, as others might believe (Davis, 1998). During the 14th century, when the cathedral was going through yet another renovation, Bishop Simon likely asked his master mason, Pierre
de Chelles, for a design "that was lavish, modern and integrated with the existing structure of the cathedral" (Davis, 1998). The renovation was needed; structural difficulties were occurring in the
Notre-Dame choir from its piers to its flying buttresses, with the building in dire danger of collapsing (Davis, 1998). According to Viollet-le-Duc, de Chelles was charged with maintaining the structures
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