Art Stories – L'âme des monuments

Temple of Light (1x5)

: 28, 2018

Natural light is one of the most important elements of architectural design. It models surfaces, creates contrasts and guides the gaze through the room. Like stone or wood, it plays an essential role in the construction of buildings. In religious architecture, light also has a symbolic character; it establishes contact with the sacred and illustrates the connection between the human and the divine. Three buildings exemplify this principle: the Romanesque basilica of Vézelay, the Gothic cathedral of Metz and the chapel of Notre-Dame du Haut in Ronchamp, designed by the architect Le Corbusier. They are prime examples of the change in architectural styles from the Middle Ages to the 20th century and illustrate the technical progress of their time.