Over nearly 30 years at the helm of the prestigious Museum of Modern Art (MoMA) in New York, Glenn Lowry turned a somewhat outdated institution into a model of innovation. From November 17 to December 1, he is scheduled to lead the Louvre Chair, a series of five lectures centered on the concept of the museum. In an interview with Le Monde, the historian reflected on the recent theft that struck the Louvre and the pressures facing American institutions since Donald Trump returned to the White House.
How did you react to the theft of French crown jewels at the Louvre on October 19?
Of course, I was shocked by the theft. But in reality, this could have happened at any one of our great museums. It has already happened in numerous cases, and we should not pretend otherwise. If we believe that museums should be public spaces that celebrate democratic values – a fundamental idea for the Louvre as well as for museums such as MoMA – then we must accept that there will always be risks to their collections. Any problems that have arisen are the result of both long-standing difficulties and the current situation. While it’s easy to criticize in the moment, security is a collective responsibility that must be exercised over time.
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