Beauford and Emery: The Delaney Brothers at Notre Dame Cathedral

In Amazing Grace: A Life of Beauford Delaney, David A. Leeming writes that "Beauford always had a religious streak. He loved visiting the great cathedrals - Chartres and Notre Dame especially - not only for aesthetic purposes but because he envied the order and constancy he saw them as representing."

Beauford received a visit from his brother Emery, sister-in-law Gertrude, and niece Imogene in August 1955. On the first Sunday of their visit, Beauford and Emery attended mass at Notre Dame Cathedral. Emery also found the church appealing and described his experience as "heart-thrilling" in a letter to Joe Delaney (Beauford and Emery's brother).

Anyone seeing the cathedral cannot fail to be impressed by it. Here I share several photos that will give you an idea of why this church has inspired so many.

Notre Dame Viewed from the Left Bank
© Discover Paris!

Rear of Notre Dame Cathedral
Creative Commons Attribution: Kiwiboy121

Organ at Notre Dame Cathedral
Creative Commons Attribution: Eric Chan

Pietà
Nicolas Coustou
1712-28 Marble
© Discover Paris!

Rose from Garden behind Notre Dame Cathedral
Creative Commons Attribution: Charlesblack

View of the city from Notre Dame Cathedral
© Discover Paris!
For more stunning and unusual photos of the cathedral, click here.