Gargoyle, Grotesque or Chimera? A Sculpture from Notre Dame Cathedral by Paul Wolber

Grotesque from Notre Dame, Paris

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7” x 5” (17.8 cm x 12.7 cm) acrylic on hand primed board w/ free shipping in US & Canada

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This time of year our thoughts often turn to travel. This is a sketch from my last travels in Paris, a grotesque sculpture from the towers of Notre Dame Cathedral. This image is often called a gargoyle, but should be called a grotesque or chimera, since a gargoyle is really a waterspout sculpture used to direct the water away from the walls of the cathedral. It's a mythical image made up of parts of many creatures and intended to be a frightening image thought to keep evil spirits away from the cathedral. I've always enjoyed these creatures because they are so imaginative and fantastic.

© Copyright 2011 by Paul Wolber

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