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Paris Picasso museum staff call for sacking of director Paris Picasso museum staff call for sacking of director
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The reopening of the Picasso museum in Paris, after a €52m (£42m) renovation that took more than five years, should be a cause for celebration.The reopening of the Picasso museum in Paris, after a €52m (£42m) renovation that took more than five years, should be a cause for celebration.
But instead, the museum in the Marais district of Paris has become mired in a festering crisis, pitting the director and the artist's only surviving son against the French culture ministry. With emotions running higher every day, director Anne Baldassari is due to meet the culture minister Aurélie Filippetti on Tuesday amid reports that her job is on the line. But instead, the museum in the Marais district of Paris has become mired in a festering crisis, pitting the director and the artist's only surviving son against the French culture ministry. With emotions running higher every day, the director, Anne Baldassari, is due to meet the culture minister, Aurélie Filippetti, on Tuesday amid reports that her job is on the line.
In the latest twist, members of the museum's staff went public over the weekend to demand the dismissal of Baldassari, a world-renowned expert on Picasso, director since 2005. In an email signed by more than half of the 40 staff, made available to the newspaper Libération, Baldassari was accused of "authoritarianism, partiality and managerial methods which have led the Picasso museum into an impasse". In the latest twist, members of the museum's staff went public over the weekend to demand the dismissal of Baldassari, a world-renowned expert on Picasso and director since 2005. In an email signed by more than half of the 40 staff and made available to the newspaper Libération, Baldassari was accused of "authoritarianism, partiality and managerial methods which have led the Picasso museum into an impasse.
"The mental and physical health of dozens of agents, and the world reputation of a museum which is already seriously isolated, cannot continue to be under threat in order to keep one sole person in office, which is now unjustified," the email says. "The mental and physical health of dozens of officials, and the world reputation of a museum, which is already seriously isolated, cannot continue to be under threat in order to keep one sole person in office, which is now unjustified," the email says.
Baldassari has already been accused of mismanagement, paranoia and authoritarianism in two separate audits. The most recent report in March called for an urgent management overhaul, concluding that its incompetence had reached a tipping point. But Baldassari has been doggedly supported by Claude Picasso, the son of the 20th century's most renowned artist.Baldassari has already been accused of mismanagement, paranoia and authoritarianism in two separate audits. The most recent report in March called for an urgent management overhaul, concluding that its incompetence had reached a tipping point. But Baldassari has been doggedly supported by Claude Picasso, the son of the 20th century's most renowned artist.
Matters came to a head 10 days ago when he wrote a searing article in Le Figaro accusing the government of dishonouring his father's memory. He was ostensibly upset over a three-month delay in reopening the museum, which has been pushed back by the culture ministry from June to September. But the real bone of contention is the future of Baldassari, who in any case had been due to step down in July next year.Matters came to a head 10 days ago when he wrote a searing article in Le Figaro accusing the government of dishonouring his father's memory. He was ostensibly upset over a three-month delay in reopening the museum, which has been pushed back by the culture ministry from June to September. But the real bone of contention is the future of Baldassari, who in any case had been due to step down in July next year.
Claude Picasso, 66, has said he suspects the government wants Baldassari to leave before the reopening. He met the prime minister, Manuel Valls – also the son of a Spanish painter – last week and hoped for a compromise in which Baldassari could be kept on until the inauguration. But his comments playing down conflict with the museum employees prompted them to mobilise against such "false information".Claude Picasso, 66, has said he suspects the government wants Baldassari to leave before the reopening. He met the prime minister, Manuel Valls – also the son of a Spanish painter – last week and hoped for a compromise in which Baldassari could be kept on until the inauguration. But his comments playing down conflict with the museum employees prompted them to mobilise against such "false information".
Libération reported on Monday that it had seen a 44-page rebuttal by Baldassari countering the accusations against her. She was not available for further comment.Libération reported on Monday that it had seen a 44-page rebuttal by Baldassari countering the accusations against her. She was not available for further comment.