Le manteau et le tablier. La réflexion sur l'autonomie de l'œuvre d'art dans le poème Die Kathedrale de Rainer Maria Rilke

Rainer Maria Rilke's poem Die Kathedrale from his collection Neue Gedichte offers a profound reflection on the autonomy of art by transcending the boundaries between sculpture and architecture, drawing inspiration from Auguste Rodin's admiration for Gothic cathedrals. The poem, particularly its depiction of Chartres Cathedral's buttresses as a 'pleated mantle,' symbolizes both structural protection and artistic independence, positioning the cathedral as an autonomous entity within the realm of art. This aesthetic exploration merges Rodin's insights with Rilke's poetic language, illustrating how Gothic architecture can be reinterpreted through different artistic mediums while maintaining its essence.

Pesnel, S. (2011). Le manteau et le tablier. La réflexion sur l’autonomie de l’œuvre d’art dans le poème Die Kathedrale de Rainer Maria Rilke. Études Germaniques, n° 262(2), 275–287. https://doi.org/10.3917/eger.262.0275