The Fine Arts Museum of Brest has been forced to close indefinitely due to a severe mold infestation threatening its collection, with officials announcing the facility will remain shuttered for approximately ten years. The museum, which has been closed since the beginning of the year, requires a complete renovation estimated to cost between 30 to 40 million euros before it can safely reopen to the public.
The mold problem was discovered during the museum's last winter closure in February. Since then, emergency restoration work has begun on about 20 paintings out of the 190 that were on display. Museum staff and conservators are working urgently to save major artworks, including "Christian Allegory," an 18th-century oil painting by Austrian artist Angelica Kauffmann.
The restoration process involves carefully removing paintings from their frames and placing them on tables where they are meticulously vacuumed to remove mold spores. "We discover mold when we remove the works from their frames," explained Sophie Lessard, director of the Brest Metropolitan Fine Arts Museum. After thorough analysis, specific fungicides are applied to treat the affected pieces.
Conservator Gwenola Corbin highlighted the serious nature of the damage, explaining that mold is becoming increasingly common in cultural institutions. "Mold creates irreversible stains that can only be hidden through retouching," she said. "It can penetrate through the back of canvases and cause paint layers to lift and separate." The affected artworks require ongoing treatment and monitoring throughout the restoration period.
The museum's problems stem from its original construction in 1968, which featured inadequate ventilation systems. A new conservation facility, estimated to cost 9 million euros, is scheduled to open in 2029 to properly house the museum's collection of 15,000 artworks. The main museum building will then undergo complete rehabilitation and expansion, likely extending into the neighboring former library building.
Réza Salami, deputy mayor responsible for cultural policy, outlined the extensive timeline for the project. "For now, we know we need to invest 30 to 40 million euros to requalify the museum," he stated. The rehabilitation and expansion work is expected to take several years, with completion projected for 2033-2034. "We're not doing this for pleasure, but because above all, a museum has the duty to preserve its works in order to transmit them to future generations," the socialist official emphasized.
The mold crisis in Brest reflects a broader challenge facing cultural institutions worldwide. Salami noted that numerous museums across France and Scandinavia are experiencing similar mold problems, likely linked to climate change and changing environmental conditions. The increasing frequency of such incidents highlights the vulnerability of cultural heritage to environmental threats.
The Brest museum, originally opened in 1877, has faced destruction before. Most of its original collection was destroyed during bombing raids in July 1941, making the current conservation efforts even more significant for preserving the rebuilt collection for future generations. The current crisis represents another major challenge in the institution's long history of protecting and displaying fine art for the public.
