A water leak at the Louvre Museum in Paris has caused damage to a 19th Century ceiling painting, marking the latest setback for the iconic museum.
Leak Discovered in Duchâtel Room
The leak occurred late Thursday night in room 707, also known as the “Duchâtel” room. This room houses multiple 15th and 16th Century artworks.The ceiling artwork depicts renowned French painters Nicolas Poussin, Eustache Le Sueur, and Charles Le Brun among angelic clouds.
Immediate Response and Inspection
Firefighters responded promptly, stopping the leak 40 minutes after it started. On Friday morning, a painting restorer inspected Meynier’s ceiling piece and reported two tears in the same area. The paint layer on the ceiling and arches had lifted.The chief architect of historic monuments assessed the ceiling and found no structural damage. Scaffolding has been erected for safety and restoration work.
Recent Challenges at the Museum
In October, a high-profile heist saw burglars steal historic French crown jewels worth €88 million. The thieves used a vehicle-mounted lift to access the Galerie d’Apollon via a balcony near the Seine. Many stolen pieces remain unrecovered, prompting the museum to move some of its most valuable jewels to the Bank of France.
