A water leak at the Louvre has caused damage to a 19th Century ceiling painting, marking the latest setback for the famed museum in Paris. Water damage was discovered in room 707, known as the 'Duchâtel' room, late on Thursday night. This room houses multiple 15th and 16th Century artworks, and the leak was traced back to a heating pipe.
The Louvre reported that the leak was quickly contained, but Charles Meynier's 'The Apotheosis of Poussin, Le Sueur and Le Brun' suffered two tears and damage to the paint layer.
This incident follows closely on the heels of a police investigation into ticket fraud that led to the arrest of nine individuals, including two museum staff members. The Louvre has come under increasing scrutiny in recent months due to several security incidents, including a high-profile jewel heist and damage to priceless artifacts.
Firefighters responded promptly to the leak, which was stopped just 40 minutes after it began. Although the paintings in rooms 706, 707, and 708 were closed to the public, they are anticipated to reopen soon. Structural assessments revealed no major issues with the ceiling.
The painting, created by Meynier in 1822, depicts prominent French painters among angelic figures and has drawn attention to the museum's ongoing challenges, including previous leaks that damaged hundreds of books and resulted in structural closures due to weaknesses in certain galleries.
This latest incident adds to a growing list of issues faced by the Louvre, the world’s most visited museum, highlighting the urgent need for better maintenance and security practices.
The Louvre reported that the leak was quickly contained, but Charles Meynier's 'The Apotheosis of Poussin, Le Sueur and Le Brun' suffered two tears and damage to the paint layer.
This incident follows closely on the heels of a police investigation into ticket fraud that led to the arrest of nine individuals, including two museum staff members. The Louvre has come under increasing scrutiny in recent months due to several security incidents, including a high-profile jewel heist and damage to priceless artifacts.
Firefighters responded promptly to the leak, which was stopped just 40 minutes after it began. Although the paintings in rooms 706, 707, and 708 were closed to the public, they are anticipated to reopen soon. Structural assessments revealed no major issues with the ceiling.
The painting, created by Meynier in 1822, depicts prominent French painters among angelic figures and has drawn attention to the museum's ongoing challenges, including previous leaks that damaged hundreds of books and resulted in structural closures due to weaknesses in certain galleries.
This latest incident adds to a growing list of issues faced by the Louvre, the world’s most visited museum, highlighting the urgent need for better maintenance and security practices.
