13 Questions
Who mocked the thieves for stealing 'unsellable' paintings?
Pierre Cornette de Saint-Cyr
How long after the heist were the thief and his sponsor found?
One year
Why did the accomplices allegedly destroy the paintings?
They panicked after a police raid
What did Yonathan Birn claim to have done with the paintings?
Thrown them away
What is the estimated value of the stolen artwork?
€100 million
Who is the artist of the painting 'Still Life with Candlestick'?
Fernand Léger
What was the estimated value of the stolen paintings?
€100 million
Who was the principal suspect in the theft of the paintings?
Vjeran Tomic
How did the thief gain access to the museum?
Through a broken window
What was unusual about the way the paintings were stolen?
The thief left the frames behind
Why did the museum close on May 20, 2010?
Due to technical reasons
What was the name of the unit investigating the theft?
Brigade de Répression du Banditisme
When did the staff notice the theft?
Just before 7:00 am
Study Notes
Still Life with Candlestick Painting
- Created in 1922 by French artist Fernand Léger
- Stolen on May 20, 2010, from the Musée d'Art Moderne de la Ville de Paris
The Theft
- Five paintings were stolen, valued at €100 million ($123 million USD)
- Principal suspect: Vjeran Tomic, commissioned by antiques dealer Jean-Michel Corvez
- Paintings taken: Still Life with Chandeliers, Le pigeon aux petits pois, La Pastorale, L'Olivier Près de l'Estaque, and La Femme à l'Éventail
- Thief: masked man, acted alone, removed paintings from frames, left them behind
Investigation
- Investigated by the Brigade de Répression du Banditisme specialist unit of the French Police
- Alarm systems failed to detect the robbery
- Museum closed on May 20, 2010, citing "technical reasons"
- Theft compared to the $162 million heist of masterpieces in Zürich in February 2008
Aftermath
- Thief and sponsor found one year after the heist
- Sponsor declared that he was seized by panic and destroyed the paintings
- Authorities believe all paintings were removed from France
- Co-defendants testified that Birn was "too smart" to destroy €100 million worth of artwork
A 1922 oil painting stolen from the Musée d'Art Moderne de la Ville de Paris. Learn more about the art piece and its intriguing history.
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