Two paintings have mysteriously disappeared from the collection of the Kunsthaus Zürich, a museum with one of the most prestigious art collections in all of Switzerland, including an extensive set by Edward Munch and Alberto Giacometti.
Since the beginning of the year, the museum has lost sight of the two small-format paintings, framed and behind glass: a mid-17th-century Robert van den Hoecke depicting soldiers in their camp, and a still life with a vase of flowers. by Dirck de Bray, dating from 1673, paid tribute to the establishment in a press release published on Tuesday.
“Since a theft can no longer be ruled out, the museum called the police on January 13 and filed a complaint,” said the Kunsthaus, which set up a crisis team.
cleaning
These two small paintings, kept on permanent loan from private collectors, had been removed at the same time as almost 700 other works to be cleaned and restored by the museum’s services, where a fire broke out during the night of August 2nd to 3rd .
“We are appalled by the possibility that plants are currently untraceable despite the implementation of important safety measures,” said director Ann Demeester.
“For generations, collectors have entrusted their treasures to the Kunsthaus. Almost three-quarters of our collection of paintings and sculptures are private donations or permanent loans,” the director admitted, adding that her institution is determined to learn the lessons of this episode, but the absolute priority remains the two works to find.
In the meticulous inventory that was carried out, not a single item was missing from all the items removed after the fire.
“We’re keeping our eyes and ears open in case the work is still in house,” Ms Demeester added.
The museum has included both paintings in the Art Lost Register, the world’s largest database of lost and stolen works of art. The Kunsthaus is also conducting its own research.
According to the museum’s website, the Kunsthaus’s collections include nearly 4,000 paintings and sculptures and 95,000 prints, ranging from the 13th century to the present day. Around 1000 works are permanently on display.