Dutch Gallery Heist: Andy Warhol Paintings Stolen in Bold Overnight Raid

Four silkscreens from Andy Warhol's Reigning Queens series were targeted during a theft at the MPV Gallery in the Netherlands, with two works featuring Queen Elizabeth II and Margrethe II taken by assailants who fled the scene in a vehicle.

In a shocking overnight heist, two iconic artworks by American pop artist Andy Warhol were stolen from the MPV Gallery in North Brabant, Netherlands. The incident reportedly occurred as thieves broke into the establishment, initially seizing four silkscreens from Warhol’s renowned Reigning Queens series but abandoning two in the vicinity, according to statements from the gallery owner to Dutch broadcaster NOS.

The two stolen pieces depict the late Queen Elizabeth II and Margrethe II, the former Queen of Denmark who abdicated earlier this year. Local authorities who are currently investigating the situation noted a loud explosion-like sound during the break-in, leading to considerable damage to the gallery and neighboring structures.

Eyewitness reports suggest that the culprits fled the scene in a car after the theft. The abandoned prints featured Queen Beatrix of the Netherlands and Queen Ntombi Tfwala of Eswatini (formerly Swaziland), which the thieves discarded as they were unable to accommodate all four pieces in their vehicle. The artworks were slated to be displayed for sale as a collective at the upcoming PAN Amsterdam art fair later this month.

These silkscreens are part of a celebrated collection of 16 artworks that Warhol created in 1985, shortly before his passing. Notably, two prints featuring Queen Elizabeth II fetched over £500,000 each at Sotheby's auction house in 2022, underlining the significance and value of the stolen pieces.