In brief
A recent water leak at the Louvre Museum has caused damage to a 19th-century ceiling painting, 'The Apotheosis of Poussin' by Charles Meynier. Discovered late Thursday night, the leak affected room 707, prompting immediate action from firefighters. This incident raises alarms as it follows a series of recent setbacks, including security breaches and damage to priceless artifacts. As the museum navigates these challenges, scrutiny over its management intensifies.
A water leak at the Louvre has caused damage to a 19th Century ceiling painting, in the latest major setback for the Parisian museum. Water damage was discovered in room 707, also known as the 'Duchâtel' room, late on Thursday night. The museum said the leak - from a heating pipe - was stopped shortly after midnight, and the only painting damaged was Charles Meynier's The Apotheosis of Poussin, Le Sueur, and Le Brun.This incident comes a day after French police reportedly detained nine people, including two museum staff members, over a suspected ticket fraud scheme. The Louvre has faced increasing scrutiny in recent months following various security breaches, including a significant theft of crown jewels in broad daylight and damage to hundreds of books from a separate leak.The Louvre stated the leak occurred near the paintings department in the Denon wing and was addressed promptly, with firefighters responding quickly to control the situation. A painting restorer assessed the damaged work, noting two tears and lifting paint due to the leak. The ceiling painting, signed by Meynier in 1822, depicts famous French painters among angelic figures.Currently, rooms 706, 707, and 708 have been closed but are expected to reopen soon. The museum's chief architect found no structural issues, although the damage's cost remains unclear. This water leak is just one of many recent problems faced by the world’s most visited museum, highlighting ongoing management issues that need addressing.
