Romancing the Cathedral: Gothic Architecture in Fin-De-Siecle French Culture

The exploration of late-nineteenth-century French admiration for Gothic architecture, particularly cathedrals, reveals a complex relationship with national identity and art. Despite prior disdain and revolutionary vandalism, cathedrals emerged as symbols of French genius by World War I, even as anti-clerical sentiments surged during church-state separation. Elizabeth Emery delves into the works of influential figures like Zola, Proust, and Monet, analyzing their contributions to the cathedral's cultural significance. This interdisciplinary study engages those interested in Gothic art, European culture, and French literature.