In an audacious late-night theft, two notable artworks by renowned American artist Andy Warhol were stolen from the MPV Gallery in North Brabant, Netherlands. The incident occurred during an overnight break-in, where thieves targeted a total of four silkscreens from Warhol's acclaimed Reigning Queens series. However, they abandoned two of the works in the vicinity, as confirmed by the gallery owner during an interview with Dutch broadcaster NOS.
Among the stolen pieces are portraits of the late Queen Elizabeth II and Queen Margrethe II of Denmark, the latter having recently abdicated. The local police have reported that the break-in appeared to involve some form of explosion, resulting in significant damage to both the gallery and adjacent buildings. Witness accounts suggest that the culprits fled the scene in a vehicle.
According to NOS reports, the two prints left behind depicted Queen Beatrix of the Netherlands and Queen Ntombi Tfwala of Eswatini. These works were likely discarded due to their size, which made it impossible for the thieves to transport them in their getaway vehicle. The stolen artworks were intended for display at the upcoming PAN Amsterdam art fair, where they were to be showcased as part of a complete set.
The silkscreen series, created in 1985—just two years prior to Warhol’s death—features sixteen portraits of various queens. Each piece reflects Warhol's innovative approach to celebrity culture, making these stolen artworks especially significant. Previous auctions of Warhol's portraits have seen recorded sales, such as two prints of Queen Elizabeth II, which fetched over £500,000 each at Sotheby's in 2022. The detective work continues as authorities aim to recover these priceless pieces and bring the perpetrators to justice.
