World

Two Stolen Renoir Paintings Recovered in France After Arrests

By AFP and AP

Two paintings by Pierre-Auguste Renoir that were stolen from the Renoir Museum in Cagnes-sur-Mer on September 8 were found damaged behind a false wall in a private home in France after police made several arrests. The thieves used an electric saw to cut through a fence and entered the museum. An alarm sounded and police arrived four minutes later, causing the perpetrators to panic. The stolen works, “Madame Colonna Romano” and “Young Woman at the Well,” were valued at about 4.2 million euros ($4.7 million). The thieves also attempted to steal “Madame Pichon” and “Coco Reading,” but abandoned them in the museum gardens while fleeing. The recovered paintings were hidden behind a false wall in a house on Friday; both are damaged and will require restoration. Marseille prosecutor Nicolas Bessone said six suspects were arrested on Wednesday after authorities discovered they were planning to target the Fondation Maeght in Saint‑Paul‑de‑Vence, home to one of Europe’s largest modern art collections. Bessone said the arrests were prompted by a “very strong suspicion that another heist was imminent.” Eric Antonetti, head of the Alpes‑Maritimes judicial police, said the authorities were clearly looking at a repetition of a criminal scheme. The investigation used DNA evidence, mobile phone geolocation data and surveillance video. A 29‑year‑old suspect was charged after DNA was recovered from a bag left during the getaway. A third man, accused of hiding the paintings, was charged with organised handling of stolen goods. A fourth suspect, who was approached about buying the artworks, was charged with handling stolen goods and taking part in a criminal conspiracy. Bessone said the suspects denied planning a second museum raid, but he added that he did not believe the principal suspect visited that museum simply out of a love of art. Bryan Masson, mayor of Cagnes‑sur‑Mer, said the recovery was an immense relief, noting that the paintings are part of the city’s history.