There seems to be no respite for the Louvre, which after the sensational theft of the French crown jewels in the middle of last October is now facing new damage, including image damage. Indeed, a water leak that occurred on Nov. 26 caused damage to several hundred volumes stored in the library of the Egyptian Antiquities department. The management of the Paris museum explained that the water leak started from the plumbing connected to the heating and ventilation system in the Mollien wing.
According to Francis Steinbock, deputy general administrator of the Louvre, between three hundred and four hundred books were reportedly affected by the incident. These would largely be journals specializing in Egyptology and scientific materials routinely consulted by researchers. The news, initially reported by La Tribune de l’Art, was later confirmed by Steinbock himself, who nevertheless wanted to reassure about the extent of the damage.
Despite the large number of wet volumes, none of them would be irreversibly compromised. These are useful and widely consulted volumes, but not unique pieces. The damaged books will be dried and then sent to the bookbinder for necessary work before being placed back on the library shelves.
Pictured: The Louvre. Photo: Mika Baumeister
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| Louvre, a water leak floods the library of Egyptian Antiquities. Involved in the damage 300 to 400 books |
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