The cubist painting shown here by Pablo Picasso that the Spanish painter had donated to Greece in 1949 with a dedication "in homage to the Greek people" for their resistance to Nazi occupiers during World War II, and another by the Dutch Painter Piet Mondrian, were stolen from Greece's National Gallery on Tuesday. The theft was revealed later in the day by the Culture Ministry and police sources.
Art collectors of Art Kabinett network have read in these AK Files about several recent high-profile art heists. Typically the valuable works are held for ransom. We all know that art works are certainly much easier and, without question, much quieter to whisk away than a struggling human.
The robbers smashed their way into the gallery and stole the 1939 Picasso titled "Woman's head," and an Untitled Mondrian work.
"After the alarm went off the guard discovered that the two paintings were missing. Another was lying on the floor," an official told Reuters.
The gallery has many 19th and 20th century Greek painting, as well as a collection of European art that include prints and etchings by Albrecht Duerer, Rembrandt van Rijn and many 20th century masters. It was due to close today for a period of refurbishment.
The National Gallery was established in 1878 as a small collection of 117 works exhibited at the Athens University.
In 1896, Alexandros Soutzos, a jurist and art lover, bequeathed his collection and estate to the Greek Government aspiring to the creation of an art museum. The museum opened in 1900 and the first curator was the famous Greek painter Georgios Jakobides from Munich.
After World War II the works began for a new building. After relocating the sculptures in the new National Glyptotheque, there is a discussion to renovate the main building and to build a new wing.
