UA huge explosion rang out around 3 a.m. Friday and the burglars attempted to steal four works from the series of portraits of queens, “Reigning Queens,” a gallery spokeswoman said.
They managed to escape with the portraits of Queen Elizabeth II of England and Queen Margrethe II of Denmark.
Damaged works
The thugs broke the windows protecting the works and tore off the screen prints, explained the spokesperson. According to her, it is inevitable that the artworks were heavily damaged. The portraits of Queen Beatrix of the Netherlands and that of Swaziland Ntombi Twala were found, and were still in their frames.
“On the black market”
“The series as a whole is extremely valuable,” said the spokesperson. The portraits that the MPV Gallery owned had the same numbering, which would be unique, according to the spokesperson. “It’s a shame” that the series is now “torn apart”. The reputation of the stolen works will make their resale by burglars difficult, believes the spokesperson. “This can only be done on the black market. »
The explosion also damaged the gallery building, as well as neighboring buildings and those located opposite.
The thugs fled by car, according to the police.
