The Maashorst municipality in the Netherlands is in damage control after admitting that 46 of its artworks, including a notable Andy Warhol print featuring former Queen Beatrix, were likely discarded unintentionally during renovation work last year.
Dutch Town Hall Loses Andy Warhol Print Amid Renovations
Dutch Town Hall Loses Andy Warhol Print Amid Renovations
A Dutch municipality acknowledges losing 46 artworks, including a valuable Warhol print of Queen Beatrix, amidst renovation chaos.
The artworks were said to have been stored in a basement during this period, with an initial investigation revealing a lack of proper guidelines for their storage as a core issue behind their disappearance. Among the missing items, Warhol's silkscreen print of Queen Beatrix, worth approximately €15,000 (£12,800), is a significant loss.
Mayor Hans van der Pas voiced his regret on public broadcaster Omroep Brabant, stating, "That's not how you treat valuables. But it happened. We regret that." The municipality later confirmed that it was "most likely" the works had been accidentally mistaken for waste and discarded.
The investigation uncovered that the artworks had been poorly stored, some even found in wheelie bins. The report strongly criticized the absence of established ownership, clear policies, and insufficient tracking measures for the valuable collection. Local reports estimate the overall worth of the 46 pieces at around €22,000 (£18,800), with hopes fading of recovery.
Additionally, Warhol’s print of Queen Beatrix was part of his iconic 1985 series titled "Reigning Queens," which also includes portraits of other notable monarchs.
As a reminder of the vulnerability of art, this incident follows a previous theft where Warhol prints of both Queen Beatrix and another monarch were stolen but later abandoned by thieves due to space constraints in their getaway vehicle. The municipality is now looking at ways to improve its art preservation policies to prevent similar incidents in the future.
Mayor Hans van der Pas voiced his regret on public broadcaster Omroep Brabant, stating, "That's not how you treat valuables. But it happened. We regret that." The municipality later confirmed that it was "most likely" the works had been accidentally mistaken for waste and discarded.
The investigation uncovered that the artworks had been poorly stored, some even found in wheelie bins. The report strongly criticized the absence of established ownership, clear policies, and insufficient tracking measures for the valuable collection. Local reports estimate the overall worth of the 46 pieces at around €22,000 (£18,800), with hopes fading of recovery.
Additionally, Warhol’s print of Queen Beatrix was part of his iconic 1985 series titled "Reigning Queens," which also includes portraits of other notable monarchs.
As a reminder of the vulnerability of art, this incident follows a previous theft where Warhol prints of both Queen Beatrix and another monarch were stolen but later abandoned by thieves due to space constraints in their getaway vehicle. The municipality is now looking at ways to improve its art preservation policies to prevent similar incidents in the future.
