On November 26, an accidental but substantial water leak froze the Louvre Museum in Paris. This recent event has harmed hundreds of irreplaceable artifacts in the Egyptian department. This latest hit is just the most recent blow for the famous institution, which suffered an equally high-profile October heist.
An accidental opening of a valve in the heating and ventilation system allowed the leak. The torrential water flooded a second floor ceiling of the Mollien wing, the archival space of special collections including hundreds of rare books and documents. The museum stated that 300 to 400 works were damaged. This comprises high-impact factor Egyptology journals, as well as scientific documentation from the late 19th and early 20th centuries.
Details of the Damage
The Louvre’s officials referred to the items that were damaged as “very pragmatic.” They stressed that these things are “far from unique.” This statement is a testament to the museum’s care and dedication to the preservation of its world-class collections, while recognizing the depth and breadth of the loss.
The impacted works will be subject to an intensive multi-step restoration process. According to Francis Steinbock, a representative from the museum, “They will be dried, sent to a bookbinder to be restored, and then returned to the shelves.” This restoration process is an important step toward ensuring that these valuable historical documents are restored for future generations to enjoy.
Impact on Visitors
The recent water leak incident comes on the heels of a significant theft at the Louvre, where a four-person gang stole jewelry worth an estimated 88 million Euros (approximately $154 million). These events have all raised eyebrows about the museum’s ability to maintain security or preserve objects.
In response to ongoing challenges and to enhance its financial stability, the Louvre announced plans to raise ticket prices for most non-EU visitors to 32 Euros. The $1.2 million increase will help the museum continue its strong and popular educational programming. With the recent destruction caused by the water leak, it is critically urgent.
Looking Ahead
The Louvre is now front and center in order to return the damaged works to their original condition. Yet the city is determined to improve its infrastructure to stop future tragedies from happening. The museum’s commitment to protecting its deep collection is highlighted both before and after these emergencies in the lengths taken to respond and recover.
