19th Annual Student Research Conference
Fine Arts
The Sainte-Chapelle: Theory and Practice in the 1848 Restoration
Jessica Seigler
Dr. Sara Orel, Mr. Garry Gordon, and Dr. Patrick Lecaque, Faculty Mentors
France in the nineteenth century focused on preserving and restoring the Gothic churches throughout the country. Though many theories on correct restoration emerged from many people in different places, other restorers continued to follow the precedent of previous examples. This paper examines the reasons behind this duality in restoration of the time. Examination of the restoration theories of Eugène-Emmanuel Viollet-le-Duc in France and John Ruskin in England allow for a discussion of expected elements for restoration in the middle of the nineteenth century. The discussion of the theories becomes necessary to accurately examine the 1848 restoration and how it detracted from these theories. While scholars have examined several reasons for this detraction, this paper focuses on the change in iconography created by the removal and relocation of windows during the restoration and the political and practical reasons for the restorer’s choices.
Keywords: Sainte-Chapelle, Viollet-le-Duc, Restoration, Architecture
Topic(s):Art History
Presentation Type: Oral Paper
Session: 19-1
Location: OP 2210
Time: 9:45