A water leak at the Louvre has caused damage to a 19th Century ceiling painting, marking another setback for the renowned Parisian museum. Discovered in room 707, known as the 'Duchâtel' room, the leak stemmed from a heating pipe and was contained shortly after midnight. Only Charles Meynier's painting, 'The Apotheosis of Poussin, Le Sueur and Le Brun', was damaged, suffering two tears and paint lifting.
This incident comes just one day after the French police detained nine individuals, including two museum staff, related to a suspected ticket fraud scheme. The Louvre is under increasing scrutiny due to a series of security breaches and maintenance failures, including a recent theft of priceless crown jewels and prior water damage that harmed hundreds of books in the Egyptian department.
The painted ceiling, which depicts French painters among angelic figures, had been inspected by restorers who confirmed the damage. Rooms 706, 707, and 708 in the Denon wing were temporarily closed, although they are expected to reopen shortly. Notably, the chief architect of historic monuments assessed the site and found no structural issues.
The museum has faced criticism for excessive spending on acquisitions at the expense of building upkeep, as noted in a report by France's public audit body.
As the Louvre continues to grapple with these challenges, it remains an invaluable institution and the most visited museum in the world.
This incident comes just one day after the French police detained nine individuals, including two museum staff, related to a suspected ticket fraud scheme. The Louvre is under increasing scrutiny due to a series of security breaches and maintenance failures, including a recent theft of priceless crown jewels and prior water damage that harmed hundreds of books in the Egyptian department.
The painted ceiling, which depicts French painters among angelic figures, had been inspected by restorers who confirmed the damage. Rooms 706, 707, and 708 in the Denon wing were temporarily closed, although they are expected to reopen shortly. Notably, the chief architect of historic monuments assessed the site and found no structural issues.
The museum has faced criticism for excessive spending on acquisitions at the expense of building upkeep, as noted in a report by France's public audit body.
As the Louvre continues to grapple with these challenges, it remains an invaluable institution and the most visited museum in the world.
