Normally dry pavement, the Louvre closed due to floods in Paris.

By DARLA MCCAMMON
Lakeland Art Association

WARSAW — Some of us have had the great privilege of visiting Paris, France and the world famous Louvre museum that is located on the right bank of the Seine River. The history of this building and its’ contents is fascinating but current events have caused headlines too. The Seine River has reached its’ highest levels since 1920 and the Louvre and a nearby sister museum, also world famous, called the Musee De O’rsay have both had staff taking emergency action to protect their art collections as the level of the Seine has continued to rise. The BBC reported that “thousands have been evacuated and at least twelve persons are known to have died because of the dangerous flood.”

Over 150,000 pieces of art are of concern and at risk in the Louvre which has closed its’ doors so staff can move pieces at risk to safer and higher floors of the museums. The Louvre museum is housed in a converted palace that was built as a fortress in the 1100’s. There are, therefore, many under-ground storage rooms that are being emptied until the danger is past. Portions of the medieval Louvre can still be seen in these under-ground areas.

The Louvre museum opened in 1793 with 537 paintings most of which had been confiscated. Over time the collections have grown to enormous proportions that now house eight departments and thousands of articles in each of those categories.

The Louvre holds the record as the world’s most-attended museum with over 15,000 guests visiting per day. Famous work in the Louvre includes “The Mona Lisa,” the statue of David, “Psyche Revived by Cupid’s Kiss,” “The Venus de Milo,” and work by nearly every conceivable great artist the world has known such as Rembrandt, Titian, Renoir, Raphael, Michelangelo, Leonardo da Vinci, Rubens, Vermeer and hundreds if not thousands, more.

By the time you read this we will know if the catastrophe has been avoided and the Louvre will remain intact and available for you to visit! Let’s hope that is the case. You can also visit the Louvre through the eyes of your computer. Give it a few clicks in your search window and enjoy the education and beauty awaiting you.

Upcoming and Current Events:

Steve Creighton and Mike Kimble exhibit is now available for viewing. Wednesday through Saturday at 11:30 am at 302 E. Winona Ave. Warsaw.

Coming soon on June 21, exhibit at Warsaw City Hall of some wonderful work by Judy Marquart. Stop in and view the free gallery while “walking and wandering” the Seward Johnson statues downtown. The Gallery is open Monday through Friday 8-5 p.m.

You are also invited to attend the special programs held each month by Lakeland Art Association on the fourth Monday evening. Call (574) 267-5568 from Tuesday through Saturday for more information and times,

•2016 Honeywell Clark Gallery accepting entries from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Tuesday, June 7, for themed art competition. The theme will be the Indiana Bicentennial.

•Contact your author/artist Darla McCammon at email: [email protected]. Or visit the website.