Thieves in the Netherlands used explosives to break into an art gallery and steal two rare screen prints by Andy Warhol. The suspects attempted to steal all four works from Warhol’s 1985 “Reigning Queens” series, but were forced to abandon two as they fled. The heist was described as amateurish by the gallery owner, Mark Peet Visser, who had the entire incident recorded on security cameras. The stolen portraits included renderings of Queen Elizabeth II and Queen Margrethe II, while the damaged portraits of Queen Beatrix and Queen Ntombi Tfwala were left on the street. The value of the signed, numbered works was not estimated, and the police are actively investigating the case.
Visser shared that the bomb used in the attack was so violent that it destroyed his entire building and damaged nearby stores. The suspects were unable to fit all the stolen artworks in their car, resulting in the works being ripped out of their frames and damaged beyond repair. The damaged portraits of Queen Beatrix and Queen Ntombi Tfwala were left on the street as the suspects fled the scene. Visser was planning to showcase the stolen works as a set at an upcoming Amsterdam art fair but was unable to estimate the value of the works. Police are appealing for witnesses to come forward in relation to the case, and forensic experts examined the destroyed gallery on Friday following the heist.
The stolen artworks included portraits of Queen Elizabeth II and Queen Margrethe II, both of which were taken by the thieves. The damaged portraits of Queen Beatrix and Queen Ntombi Tfwala were left behind on the street after the suspects were unable to fit all the stolen works in their car. The artwork was part of Warhol’s 1985 “Reigning Queens” series, which features portraits of notable queens from various countries. The heist was captured on security cameras, providing valuable evidence for the police investigation. No comment was immediately available from Mark Peet Visser, the gallery owner, in response to media requests for further information on the incident.
The bomb used in the attack was described as highly destructive, causing extensive damage to the gallery building and surrounding stores. The suspects’ attempt to steal the artworks was thwarted by the size constraints of their getaway car, resulting in the works being damaged as they were ripped out of their frames. Despite the damage, the stolen works were valuable signed and numbered pieces, which were intended to be showcased as a set at an upcoming art fair in Amsterdam. The stolen works included portraits of Queen Elizabeth II and Queen Margrethe II, highlighting the significance of the heist in the context of art theft and cultural heritage protection.
Police are actively investigating the heist and appealing for witnesses to come forward with any information related to the case. Forensic experts examined the scene of the crime to gather evidence that may lead to the apprehension of the suspects involved in the theft. The artistic value of the stolen Warhol prints and the historical significance of the “Reigning Queens” series add another layer to the impact of the heist. The amateurish nature of the crime, including the suspects’ inability to successfully execute the theft due to logistical challenges, underscores the risks and consequences associated with art theft. The damaged artworks left behind serve as a reminder of the vulnerability of cultural treasures and the importance of robust security measures to protect them from such criminal acts.
