This work symbolizes the spectacular fire that struck Notre-Dame de Paris in April 2019. The Virgin Mary, crowned by the burning cathedral, is depicted frontally within a solemn composition inspired by Christian iconography. The circular structure surrounding her refers both to the halo of the Virgin and to emblematic architectural elements of the site, such as the great rose window, as well as the new reliquary intended to house the Crown of Thorns of Christ.
A symbol of suffering and sacrifice, the Crown of Thorns establishes a direct parallel with the fire at Notre-Dame, transforming the cathedral into a wounded body exposed to the violence of the moment.
At the center of the chest, a flaming heart explicitly evokes the fire that consumed the cathedral, while simultaneously inscribing itself within the tradition of the Sacred Heart. This fire becomes a point of convergence between destruction, pain, and spiritual persistence.
Beneath this burning heart appears an inverted face with closed eyes, symbolizing the closure of the cathedral during its restoration. This silent figure embodies a suspended time, a forced withdrawal of the monument from public life.
In the lower part of the painting, a multitude of eyes represents the gaze of the world witnessing the fire, conveying a sense of collective shock and shared trauma.
Through this work, the artist questions the relationship between the sacred, suffering, and visibility, offering a meditation on how Notre-Dame, struck by fire, becomes a mirror of collective memory and a faith put to the test.