The Louvre Museum, home of the ‘Mona Lisa,’ has a new director. Art historian Christophe Leribault, a veteran museum director, was chosen Wednesday to steer the world's largest museum out of crisis. French government spokeswoman Maud Bregeon announced the appointment. Leribault takes over from outgoing Louvre director Laurence des Cars, who resigned Tuesday, four months after the brazen heist in October of the French crown jewels. The difficulties Leribault inherits are formidable. The daylight robbery exposed alarming security holes at the Paris landmark. The museum has recently also had to contend with a burst water pipe in the gallery housing the “Mona Lisa” that damaged priceless books, staff walkouts and the revelation of a ticket fraud operation.
