Louvre Faces New Challenges with Gallery Closure Amid Security Concerns
In This Article
HIGHLIGHTS
- The Louvre museum in Paris has closed the Campana Gallery due to structural weaknesses in beams supporting the floors above.
- The closure follows a recent jewel heist where items worth €88m were stolen, raising concerns about museum security.
- Critics have pointed out the museum's spending priorities, highlighting a focus on new artworks over maintenance.
- Four individuals have been arrested in connection with the heist, but the stolen jewels remain unrecovered.
- The Louvre has increased security measures and relocated staff from affected areas as investigations continue.
The Louvre museum in Paris, renowned as the world's most-visited art gallery, has temporarily closed its Campana Gallery due to structural concerns. This decision comes on the heels of a high-profile jewel heist that has already put the museum's security under scrutiny.
Structural Concerns Prompt Precautionary Closure
The Campana Gallery, home to nine rooms of ancient Greek ceramics, has been shut down as engineers investigate structural weaknesses in the beams supporting the floors above. The affected area, located in the Sully wing, serves as office space for 65 employees who have been relocated during the investigation. The Louvre's statement emphasized that the closure is a precautionary measure, with no direct link to the recent theft.
Security Under the Spotlight Following Jewel Heist
The gallery's closure adds to the Louvre's recent challenges, following a daring daylight heist last month. Thieves made off with jewels valued at €88m ($102m) using a mechanical lift and angle grinders to access the Galerie d'Apollon. The heist, executed in just eight minutes, has led to the arrest of four individuals, though the jewels remain missing. Paris's prosecutor noted that the suspects were petty criminals, not organized crime professionals, and expressed hope for the recovery of the stolen items.
Criticism Over Spending Priorities
The Louvre has faced criticism for its spending priorities, with a recent report highlighting a significant investment in new artworks and exhibitions over essential maintenance. Between 2018 and 2024, the museum allocated €105.4m for new acquisitions, while spending only €26.7m on maintenance. This has raised concerns about the preservation of the museum's historic structure and its valuable collections.
Enhanced Security Measures Implemented
In response to the heist, the Louvre has tightened security across its premises and transferred some of its most valuable jewels to the Bank of France. The museum's director, Laurence des Cars, had previously warned about the deteriorating conditions within the former royal palace, citing issues such as water damage and temperature fluctuations that threaten the preservation of artworks.
WHAT THIS MIGHT MEAN
The Louvre's recent challenges highlight the delicate balance between preserving historical structures and ensuring the security of priceless collections. As investigations into the structural issues and the jewel heist continue, the museum may face increased pressure to reassess its spending priorities and enhance security protocols. Experts suggest that the Louvre's response could set a precedent for other cultural institutions worldwide, emphasizing the importance of safeguarding both physical infrastructure and valuable assets. Additionally, the outcome of the ongoing investigations could influence future policies on museum security and maintenance funding.
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Louvre Faces New Challenges with Gallery Closure Amid Security Concerns
In This Article
Himanshu Kaushik| Published HIGHLIGHTS
- The Louvre museum in Paris has closed the Campana Gallery due to structural weaknesses in beams supporting the floors above.
- The closure follows a recent jewel heist where items worth €88m were stolen, raising concerns about museum security.
- Critics have pointed out the museum's spending priorities, highlighting a focus on new artworks over maintenance.
- Four individuals have been arrested in connection with the heist, but the stolen jewels remain unrecovered.
- The Louvre has increased security measures and relocated staff from affected areas as investigations continue.
The Louvre museum in Paris, renowned as the world's most-visited art gallery, has temporarily closed its Campana Gallery due to structural concerns. This decision comes on the heels of a high-profile jewel heist that has already put the museum's security under scrutiny.
Structural Concerns Prompt Precautionary Closure
The Campana Gallery, home to nine rooms of ancient Greek ceramics, has been shut down as engineers investigate structural weaknesses in the beams supporting the floors above. The affected area, located in the Sully wing, serves as office space for 65 employees who have been relocated during the investigation. The Louvre's statement emphasized that the closure is a precautionary measure, with no direct link to the recent theft.
Security Under the Spotlight Following Jewel Heist
The gallery's closure adds to the Louvre's recent challenges, following a daring daylight heist last month. Thieves made off with jewels valued at €88m ($102m) using a mechanical lift and angle grinders to access the Galerie d'Apollon. The heist, executed in just eight minutes, has led to the arrest of four individuals, though the jewels remain missing. Paris's prosecutor noted that the suspects were petty criminals, not organized crime professionals, and expressed hope for the recovery of the stolen items.
Criticism Over Spending Priorities
The Louvre has faced criticism for its spending priorities, with a recent report highlighting a significant investment in new artworks and exhibitions over essential maintenance. Between 2018 and 2024, the museum allocated €105.4m for new acquisitions, while spending only €26.7m on maintenance. This has raised concerns about the preservation of the museum's historic structure and its valuable collections.
Enhanced Security Measures Implemented
In response to the heist, the Louvre has tightened security across its premises and transferred some of its most valuable jewels to the Bank of France. The museum's director, Laurence des Cars, had previously warned about the deteriorating conditions within the former royal palace, citing issues such as water damage and temperature fluctuations that threaten the preservation of artworks.
WHAT THIS MIGHT MEAN
The Louvre's recent challenges highlight the delicate balance between preserving historical structures and ensuring the security of priceless collections. As investigations into the structural issues and the jewel heist continue, the museum may face increased pressure to reassess its spending priorities and enhance security protocols. Experts suggest that the Louvre's response could set a precedent for other cultural institutions worldwide, emphasizing the importance of safeguarding both physical infrastructure and valuable assets. Additionally, the outcome of the ongoing investigations could influence future policies on museum security and maintenance funding.
Images from the Web
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