Mona Lisa to get dedicated room in the Louvre in museum renovation, Macron says
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Mona Lisa to be Placed in Separate Room Amid Louvre Renovation
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Above: French Pres. Emmanuel Macron gives a speech in front of the Mona Lisa by Italian artist Leonardo Da Vinci at the Louvre Museum in Paris on Jan. 28, 2025. Image copyright: Bertrand Guay/Pool/AFP/Contributor via Getty Images
The Facts
As part of plans to renovate the world's most frequented museum, the Mona Lisa is to be moved to a separate exhibition space at the Louvre, French Pres. Emmanuel Macron said on Tuesday.
Delivering a speech in front of the 16th century painting by Leonardo da Vinci, Macron said he was "humbled" to be in the presence of the Mona Lisa and that it would be given a "special space" within the museum — one that was "independently accessible" with "its own access pass."
The change is part of a project labeled the "New Renaissance" of the Louvre, which will include an international competition to design a second entrance to the museum — linking it to new underground exhibition spaces — as well as the creation of more restrooms and dining facilities.
The Spin
Narrative A
Having overseen the much-praised renovation of the Notre Dame Cathedral that was unveiled last month, Macron is likely looking for another cultural achievement to boost his international and domestic status. Moving the Mona Lisa to its own space will both enhance visitor experience of this exceptional artistic wonder — by addressing the issues of overcrowding it is currently plagued by — and help fund development in other areas of the Louvre.
Narrative B
This is a classist decision motivated by snobbery at the popularity of Leonardo da Vinci's work. Placing the Mona Lisa in an isolated gallery is a swipe at the ecosystem of the Louvre, which currently sees the piece surrounded by rowdy hubbub in a democratic celebration of classical mastery. Masterpieces like this belong to all, and public enthusiasm in any gallery or museum should not be sterilized in the way Macron has announced.
