New blow for Louvre as structural problem forces gallery closure

"The Louvre has temporarily closed one of its galleries as a precaution after an audit revealed structural weaknesses in some of the beams in the building. The Campana Gallery, which houses nine rooms dedicated to ancient Greek ceramics, will be shut while investigations are conducted into certain beams supporting the floors of the second floor above it, a statement issued on Monday said. The announcement has no link to the recent theft at the world's most visited art gallery but is more unwelcome news for an institution that has faced severe criticism over its security shortcomings."

"A four-strong gang raided the Louvre in broad daylight last month, using an extendable ladder and angle grinders and making off with jewellery worth an estimated $102m in front of startled visitors. Before the break-in, the museum's top administrator had warned about conditions inside the former royal palace, which was visited by 8.7 million people last year. In a memo in January, the Louvre boss, Laurence des Cars, wrote about a proliferation of damage in museum spaces, some of which are in very poor condition."

"Some areas were no longer watertight, while others experience significant temperature variations, endangering the preservation of art works, she said. The Campana Gallery is located on the first floor in the Sully wing at the far eastern end of the complex, with the floor above it identified by the museum as having structural issues. The area is used as office space, the museum said. The 65 people who usually work there are being relocated while further investigations take place. During these investigations, the Campana Gallery will be closed to the public as a precautionary measure, the statement said."

The Louvre closed the Campana Gallery after an audit identified structural weaknesses in beams supporting the floors above the gallery. The gallery, which contains nine rooms of ancient Greek ceramics, will remain shut while investigations into the supporting beams proceed. The floor above the gallery is used as office space and 65 staff are being relocated during further checks. The closure is separate from a recent high-value jewellery theft but adds to concerns about the museum's physical condition and security. Prior warnings noted water ingress, temperature variations, and proliferating damage that threaten artwork preservation.

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