Replacement of the exhibition lights for the “Mona Lisa” and in the Red Rooms with new LED lights now enables the works of art to be viewed under the best conditions possible. In particular, the harmonious lighting for the “Mona Lisa” which is free from reflections allows the true colors in all details of the painting to be enjoyed.
In order to protect cultural assets, it is important to introduce contemporary technology while respecting the existing environment. All of the people at the Louvre Museum are fully aware of this due to its long history and our experience, and concluded a long-term partnership agreement with Toshiba that extends from 2010 to 2023 with the goal of fusing the latest LED technology with the art of the Louvre. I think that the special LED lights that were designed for the Louvre Museum are fantastic, both technologically and artistically. The joint work that was performed by Toshiba and our staff with an uncompromising approach has created wonderful results in the form of innovative solutions.
The LED lighting renovation work that was completed for the Pyramid, Pyramidions and Pavillion Colbert in December 2011 was the first fruit of our partnership. In May 2012, the existing xenon lights in the Cour Napoleon were replaced with Toshiba LED lights. This lighting renovation work enabled yearly power consumption to be slashed by 73%.
This partnership for which we have high expectations is a reflection of the steadfast commitment of the Louvre Museum to addressing the issues of controlling energy consumption and protecting the environment, and lighting renovation work is scheduled to continue in the end-2014 in the Cour Carree, and in the Napoleon Hall in end-2014.
On June 4, 2013, we reached a new stage in the joint work that we are doing. This consisted of the work we conducted for the “Mona Lisa”, the Louvre’s most famous painting, along with the Red Rooms. I am very happy that the “Mona Lisa” has been blessed with the latest LED technology thanks to Toshiba’s support for the arts.
Although the images on this website are very good, I hope that everyone will come to the Louvre Museum to see the real works of art and the “real lights” that illuminate the works of art and the museum.