Paris Art Basel refuses to detail security measures after Louvre theft
Days before Art Basel Paris opens at the Grand Palais, show organizers are offering reassurances, if not specifics, on security after a brazen daytime robbery at the Louvre museum in which thieves escaped with jewelry that once belonged to Napoleon III and Empress Eugenie.
When asked “in light of the recent high-profile robbery at the Louvre,” an Art Basel spokesperson did not respond directly. Instead, the show offered a general statement:
“We take the safety of our exhibitors, visitors and staff very seriously, as well as that of the artworks and historic infrastructure in which we operate. As with all Art Basel fairs, we take comprehensive measures to ensure a safe and secure environment and work closely with local authorities to develop safety arrangements.”
The statement was made on the occasion of the opening of Art Basel in Paris avant-garde premierea new invitation-only preview will open on Tuesday afternoon, ahead of the show’s two VIP days starting on Wednesday. The fair describes the new level of exclusivity as “for the market, by the market,” which allows each of the 203 participating galleries to invite a handful of top collectors for a more “intimate and privileged experience.”
A Louvre museum robbery carried out by three masked men using a cherry picker and power tools has dominated headlines in France since Sunday. The group broke into the Apollo Gallery, home to France’s crown jewels, and fled within minutes, prompting Interior Minister Laurent Nunez to describe the stolen items as having “inestimable heritage and historical value.” The theft, which resulted in the theft of a damaged crown, sparked political outrage – national rally leader Jordan Bardera called it “an intolerable disgrace to our country” – and renewed scrutiny of security at French museums.
For Art Basel in Paris, the robbery has had strange consequences for the show’s timing. A day before dignitaries descend on the newly restored Grand Palais for champagne and seven-figure deals, the Louvre remains closed to preserve forensic evidence. On top of that, multiple sources from art dealers to art world professionals tell us art news The robbery became a hot topic in Paris: no matter how exclusive Tuesday’s incident, that fact is unlikely to change Premiere Will.
This year’s show features 203 galleries from 40 countries, including Gagosian Gallery, Hauser & Wirth, David Zwirner and Datta Ropac, as well as 9 galleries participating for the first time. It also marks the final release for director Clément Delépine, who is leaving to lead Lafayette Anticipations. It’s unclear if security measures have been tightened, but at least Art Basel officials are taking them very seriously.
