Authorities in France are investigating a burglary at the Renoir Museum in Cagnes-sur-Mer, where two paintings by the impressionist master were stolen. According to local Mayor Bryan Masson, the perpetrators breached the museum grounds early Tuesday morning by cutting through a perimeter fence.
The suspects, described by the mayor as appearing "well-equipped" and "well-informed," utilized tools including an electric knife and a hacksaw to remove the artworks from their frames. While the thieves initially seized four paintings, they abandoned two in the museum gardens while fleeing the scene after security alarms were triggered at 05:48 local time. Police arrived within five minutes of the alert, but the suspects managed to escape.
The two stolen pieces are identified as Portrait of Madame Colonna Romano (1910) and Jeune fille au puits (1886). Each is estimated to be worth approximately €9 million. The recovered works, Portrait of Madame Pichon (1895) and Coco Lisant (1905), have been secured by officials. Investigators have also recovered two zip-up bags left behind at the site, which are being examined for evidence.
The Renoir Museum, which occupies the artist's final residence, houses 12 of his paintings alongside personal artifacts. Mayor Masson condemned the theft as an attack on the region's cultural heritage and urged the French government to increase financial support for museum security, citing a growing trend of organized crime targeting art institutions across Europe.
Source: BBC News
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