Five 17th Century Paintings Stolen

AP ^ | March 25, 2002 | AP Wire

[Dawgsquat]

HAARLEM, Netherlands (AP) — Thieves stole five 17th century paintings from the renowned Frans Hals museum in the western Dutch city of Haarlem, in a haul worth $2.6 million, police said Monday.

The paintings taken Sunday night were by Jan Steen, Cornelis Bega, Adriaan van Ostade and Cornelis Dusart, Dutch television reported. The artists belonged to a movement that depicted daily life in the Netherlands of the 1600s and often conveyed a moral.

The widely documented works were the showpieces of a new exhibition about life in and around Haarlem.

``This is an extraordinarily great loss to the museum,'' said Michel Kersten, the museum director.

Kersten said the burglary was the work of professionals.

``It was a very focused burglary. They knew what they wanted,'' said Kersten, although he said he didn't know what would happen to the pieces. ``These paintings are known and it is very difficult to sell them.''

Police spokesman Hans Vos said the thieves tried to steal a sixth painting but dropped it on the way out. Police arrived at the scene five minutes after the alarm went off.

The thieves were still at large and police declined to give information about the investigation, which is led by a team of eight detectives.

[strela]

If you go to THIS SITE you can get a list of the databases for numerous countries ...

Doggone it - MY stolen painting wasn't on the list.

[Orual]

Doggone it - MY stolen painting wasn't on the list.

Oh, the humanity. (This one must have needed a fork lift to spirit away.)

[twigs]

This is truly a terrible crime. Several years ago, I took a history course at our local community college. I enjoyed the artifacts our instructor passed around at the time. He was a National Archives employee just arrested here in Philadelphia for stealing these things. I had no idea that these historical artifacts had been stolen. I experienced a deep sense of betrayal that someone would steal our national treasures.

[Dawgsquat]

I didn't do it. Nobody saw me. You can't prove anything.

Hmmmmm......didn't I see this masterpiece at your home?

[Dawgsquat]

PING!!!

[dighton]

What do you expect? That masterpiece was out of my price range, so I couldn't help stealing it.

Uhhhh, no . . . .

[Dawgsquat]

Now that I think about it, I recall seeing this one there also. If you weren't a good friend I'd call the police and have them run a sting on you!

[buffyt]

I really enjoyed BLUE GORE!!!! good one!!!! recently toured the relatively new museum in LA -- the new GETTY MUSEUM. It is worth the trip just to see the new building made of I think they said Travertine stone. And the setting high on a hill, and the view, and the gardens... Plus, all the wonderful art, is almost an extra since the building is so grand!!!! The paintings and sculpture are from so many periods and countries. Plan to spend a LONG time there if you love art, and have lunch or dinner there, too. The traffic getting there is WILD!!!!

[Dawgsquat]

My wife is from California. The next time we go out there to visit her folks, we'll try to get by there. Sounds great.

[buffyt]

American Pathetic by Slick Times magazine.

[buffyt]

This is art!

[Dawgsquat]

Now that's a desecration of fine art! LOL!

[buffyt]

Do you prefer.... ~~~OR~~~ Much of the art today is bumper stickers and posters and billboards.... These are two of my favorites.

[Dawgsquat]

One of my favorites. I outdid myself with this one.

[Dawgsquat]

I prefer this one. LOL!

[japaneseghost]

Yes, the Getty Museum is well worth the trip.
Take the train and see the pretty hills while you're out there.

[buffyt]

I was in college majoring in art and Spanish 1969-1973. I remember one other art student who stole art all the time. He was in charge of the student art exhibit at the student union and had a key to the room, so he just helped himself. He once stole a sculpture by one of the art instructors at the same school we attended. I know he got caught for that theft, but I don't know if he got caught for the rest of his thefts. He was also a big liar. He once broke into my apartment and stole things. He just had this attitude that if he wanted something he just took it. He was a real creep and very scary guy!

[buffyt]

We live in Lake Jackson Texas AND Claremont California so I will be out in La La Land a lot this year while my husband designs at ethylene plant at Technip in Calif (will build the plant here in Tex.) Where do I go to get on the train? Is it at the Los Angeles depot? I know where that is. Or are you talking about a special train near the new Getty?

PS I also plan to try to meet some of the wonderful Calif. freepers!

[buffyt]

I heard that Gore flunked out of the seminary. How do you flunk the BIBLE?

[japaneseghost]

Sorry, I don't remember which train it was, but it went directly under the museum, and it was definitely public transportation. Maybe I'm confused and it was a public bus. I could be thinking of the tram at the Museum (what a view).