Notre Dame de Paris is a grand expression of High Gothic architecture emerging into the Rayonnant movement. The era is marked by a desire for taller buildings to allow for more light, symbolizing man’s reach for God and longing for heaven. The construction of Notre Dame de Paris is reinforced by thick buttresses which give a hefty appearance to the building. To contrast this, detailed lace-like sculpture frames the windows and runs along the top. Several layers of walls provide dimension and powerful shadows, reflecting the third law of Ruskin’s The Seven Lamps of Architecture. In addition, the two towers were the tallest structures in Paris until the Eiffel Tower was created. Three large rose windows are featured on different sides of the cathedral, allowing colorful light to flood the interior. These windows are recognized as part of the Rayonnant movement which moves away from the focus of merely spatial logic to more emphasis on extravagant beauty and decoration. Because of this, I believe it both follows Ruskin’s law of Beauty and breaks his law of Obedience to tradition. The outside is adorned with sculptures telling the stories from the Bible, intended to be understood by those who could not read. Each sculpture is hand molded, celebrating “the irregularity of design” and joy of its designers as cited in the fifth law of Rukin’s The Seven Lamps of Architecture. Although I agree with many of his laws, I believe that creativity should not operate only within obedience to tradition, for that is not creativity at all.