The air quality in Australia's capital has deteriorated significantly as a result of recent forest fires in the country. So much so that the National Gallery of Australia sees a risk that the museum's current exhibition with paintings by Henri Matisse and Pablo Picasso could be damaged.
"Keeping closed allows us to reduce the risks to the public, staff and the artworks on display," the museum announces in a statement.
The exhibition consists of Picasso's portraits of wife Olga and mistress Marie-Therese. Both paintings are borrowed from the Picasso Museum in Paris.
The museum is one of several in the capital that was closed during Monday, when many shops also closed due to the smoke. Several other museums around the country have also been closed for shorter periods due to smoke and fire risk.
However, The Show and tell gallery in little Corryong in the state of Victoria held open longer than they thought over the New Year. About 30 people from the area were allowed to use the premises as a refuge from the fires in the area, reports Artnet.com.
The museum reopened on Tuesday for visitors, but the museum café's outdoor seating was still closed due to the poor air quality.