The Louvre museum in Paris has announced its decision to close the Campana Gallery, comprising nine rooms that display Greek ceramics, due to identified structural weaknesses.
This closure will remain in effect while engineers conduct investigations into the supporting beams of the gallery's floors. The winding circumstances regarding this decision have attracted increased attention to the museum, especially following a high-profile jewel theft last month, where a staggering €88 million worth of jewels was taken.
Concerns have been raised about the museum's security protocols, particularly after a report highlighted their preference for spending on new artworks and exhibitions over critical maintenance and security measures. Although four individuals have been arrested in connection with the heist, the stolen belongings remain unrecovered.
In light of these issues, the Louvre stated: During these investigations, the Campana Gallery... will be closed to the public as a precautionary measure. A recent audit revealed that from 2018 to 2024, the museum allocated €105.4 million for new artwork acquisitions, while a mere €26.7 million was dedicated to maintenance work.
As investigations continue, the Louvre has intensified security measures and has transferred some invaluable items to the Bank of France to mitigate further risks.
