A water leak at the Louvre museum in Paris has damaged hundreds of works, just weeks after thieves stole priceless French crown jewels from the museum in broad daylight. The museum's deputy administrator, Francis Steinbock, reported that between 300-400 works, mostly books, were affected by the leak - currently under assessment for precise damage. The leak, discovered in late November, primarily impacted the Egyptian department, affecting volumes frequently consulted by Egyptologists, though Steinbock confirmed that 'no precious books' were harmed. The cause of the leak had been known for years, with repairs scheduled for next year.
The damaged volumes, which include 'Egyptology journals' and 'scientific documentation' from the late 19th to early 20th centuries, will be dried, sent to a bookbinder for restoration, and returned to the museum's shelves. Steinbock assured that 'no heritage artefacts have been affected by this damage,' and noted that there are currently 'no irreparable and definitive losses in these collections.'
This leak is the third significant issue the museum has faced in recent months. In November, structural weaknesses led to a partial closure of a gallery housing Greek vases, and in October, a brazen jewel heist resulted in the loss of €88 million worth of valuables. The stolen jewels have yet to be recovered, prompting the museum to relocate its most treasured pieces to the Bank of France for security.
Additionally, a report from France's public audit body highlighted concerns about the Louvre's excessive spending on artworks at the expense of essential building maintenance and renovations.
The damaged volumes, which include 'Egyptology journals' and 'scientific documentation' from the late 19th to early 20th centuries, will be dried, sent to a bookbinder for restoration, and returned to the museum's shelves. Steinbock assured that 'no heritage artefacts have been affected by this damage,' and noted that there are currently 'no irreparable and definitive losses in these collections.'
This leak is the third significant issue the museum has faced in recent months. In November, structural weaknesses led to a partial closure of a gallery housing Greek vases, and in October, a brazen jewel heist resulted in the loss of €88 million worth of valuables. The stolen jewels have yet to be recovered, prompting the museum to relocate its most treasured pieces to the Bank of France for security.
Additionally, a report from France's public audit body highlighted concerns about the Louvre's excessive spending on artworks at the expense of essential building maintenance and renovations.
