Rodin sculpture stolen from Chilean museum

The Star (Malaysia) ^ | Saturday June 18, 2005

[nickcarraway]

SANTIAGO, Chile (AP) - A sculpture by French artist Auguste Rodin has been stolen from an exhibition at the Chilean National Museum of Fine Arts, police reported.

Police chief Miguel Valdivia said the stolen piece is "The Trunk of Adele,'' a 126-centimeter-by-45-centimeter, 20-killogram (50-inch-by-18-inch, 44-pound) bronze sculpture valued at euro 400,000 (U$515,000). He said the theft occurred some time after 7 p.m Thursday.

"There was no forced entrance to the museum or other violence,'' he said. "It's a little piece, so whoever took may have hidden it in a bag or among the clothes.''

Santiago's chief prosecutor Andres Baytelman said police were checking the videos from the museum's security cameras.

Both Valdivia and Baytelman said an activity not related to the Rodin exhibit attracted a large number of people to the museum on Thursday, which may have helped the thief or thieves.

The statue was part of a 62-piece exhibit from the Rodin Museum of Paris that opened here on May 7 and was scheduled to remain open until Aug. 7. It attracted more than 100,000 visitors during the first month.

After officials noticed the missing statue Friday, they closed the museum doors. It was not immediately clear when it would open again.

Rodin, a French sculptor of the late 19th and early 20 century, is best known for his works, "The Thinker'' and "The Kiss.''

[beyond the sea]

At least it wasn't 'The Thinker'.

[isom35]

was that the one that godzilla had to fight ?

http://guidesmedia.ign.com/guides/498289/images/Rodan.jpg

[garandgal]

It was not immediately clear when it would open again.

Hopefully when it's back in Paris, what with the crack security and all.

[Larry Lucido]

An official, asked what can be done, leaned his chin on his fist and said "I'll have to think on that one."

[SkyPilot]

[Republicanprofessor]

Art Ping.

Let Sam Cree or I know if you want on or off the list.

[Sam Cree]

Apparently it has already been found:

http://ap.tbo.com/ap/breaking/MGBSOBS23AE.html

[Sam Cree]

[Republicanprofessor]

Thanks for letting me know that it was found. Interesting story. I wouldn't say that 18" x 10" is "small," but compared to his larger works, it is. But it doesn't quite fit into a pocket.

[Dog Gone]

WTF? If I stole a sculpture worth a half million bucks, I wouldn't leave it under a bush in a park for some kid to find.

What's up with that?

[Republicanprofessor]

Maybe he thought he'd return and get it later.

I don't know either. It's a "developing story," I guess.

[Luke]

My wife and I recently toured the Rodin Exhibit in Pensacola, Florida. This was the first time we have seen Rodin’s real work up close. About 30 years ago my wife and I bought two small scale copies of Rodin's work. Those Rodin copies were sold by Sears; I’m not sure who made them.

After touring the exhibit and seeing the real thing I must admit I am really disappointed. The real thing... up close... is not all that great. In fact, some of his earlier work was so amateurish that I have to wonder why he was so popular at the time? At the risk of upsetting some "art" folk... I think our Sears miniature copies are better than the real thing.

We did enjoy the drive over to Pensacola. Stopped at Cracker Barrel and had a great lunch.

[Dog Gone]

Art is in the eye of the believer. There's a certain snobbery that intimidates people into thinking art is great art.

There is great art that we can all be in awe of. But I'll have to agree with you that some of the art that I'm told is great doesn't ring my bell.