Gothic Sculptures from Notre-Dame on Rare Loan at Palazzo Madama

An exhibition titled "Notre-Dame de Paris. Sculture gotiche dalla grande cattedrale" is on view at Palazzo Madama in Turin, showcasing four limestone heads from Notre-Dame Cathedral, on loan from the Musée de Cluny in Paris. Curated by Simonetta Castronovo in dialogue with Damien Berné, the show marks the first time in forty years that more than one head has left the museum simultaneously. The heads—an Angel, a Magus, a Bearded Man, and a Female Figure (allegory of a theological virtue)—date from the first half of the 13th century and originate from the cathedral's portals. The exhibition uses multimedia storytelling, including videos with voiceovers by professional actors like Andrea Zalone, to engage visitors and explain the sculptures' history, from their creation through iconoclastic destruction during the French Revolution to their rediscovery in the 1970s and arrival at the Cluny in 1980. The display emphasizes emotional and educational experience over blockbuster spectacle, aiming to make medieval art accessible to contemporary audiences, especially younger visitors. The project is part of the European Network of Medieval Art Museums, highlighting the enduring relevance of Gothic naturalism.