Le Stryge Notre Dame de Paris Sculpture CC1178 Postcard

Stryge Vampire Notre Dame Paris Sculpture CC1178 Postcard inspired by a famous sculpted monster that used to watch the cityscape of Paris from atop the Notre-Dame cathedral. The monster has many names, the most common is probably Le Stryge (The vampire). That was also the name of an etching (1853) that French artist Charles Meryon made of the sculpture. Other names of the sculpture are The pensive demon, The thinker, The devil resting on his elbows, The spitting gargoyle... Charles Meryon's etching did much to make the sculpture popular. People soon started to like the monster, even identify with it. Although horned and winged, with a tongue that was slightly protruding, the creature was rather loveable. Resting on its elbows, staring thoughtfully ahead of itself, the the creature seemed a lonely and melancholy sight. The sculpture was designed by Eugène Viollet-le-Duc (French 1814 – 1879) and sculpted by the little-known Victor Pyanet (French 1796-1860) during the 19th century restoration of the cathedral. It was completed sometime between 1848 and 1850. Sadly, Le Stryge did not survive the fire in April 2019 - but preparations for the remaking of the sculpture has already begun. Original photo by Jawed Karim on Wikimedia Commons.