New Delhi: After a month, two stolen paintings by French artist Auguste Renoir have been recovered in the southern French town of Cagnes-sur-Mer.
On 8 October, the paintings Madame Colonna Romano (1910) and Jeune Femme au puits (1886) were recovered. The estimated cost of both paintings is between $ 11.2 million.
The theft was the latest in a series of high-profile art heists in Europe.
The theft took place on 8 September when two burglars broke into the Renoir museum after cutting a hole in its garden fence.
Initially, the burglars took four paintings, but they left two while fleeing as police arrived.
The four paintings were the museum’s most valuable artworks, according to the prosecutor’s office.
On Wednesday, six people were arrested in the southern Alpes-Maritimes department, the Herault department in southern France and the Jura department in eastern France.
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Ongoing investigation
Cagnes-sur-Mer Mayor Bryan Masson described the suspects as “real professionals” after the theft, saying they had worn helmets, gloves and masks and appeared to have detailed knowledge of the museum.
“These two paintings are not simply works of art. They belong to the history of our town, our heritage and the legacy left by Auguste Renoir in Cagnes-sur-Mer,” said Masson, part of France’s National Rally.
Masson described the recovery as a major relief for residents and museum supporters.
However, the investigation into suspected organised theft and criminal conspiracy is ongoing.
The Renoir Museum is home to 12 of the famous painter’s artworks. It opened in 1960 and houses objects such as an easel, a wheelchair, photographs, and personal letters.
Last year, thieves stole the Louvre Museum’s crown jewels in Paris.
(Edited by Ratan Priya)