A sketchbook containing 32 Picasso drawings, valued at roughly eight million euros, was taken from the National Picasso Museum in central Paris, police announced Tuesday. Staff discovered the theft Tuesday morning after the book disappeared from an unlocked display case with no alarm triggered and no evidence of forced entry.
French culture ministry officials said the sketchbook, bound in a red cover labeled 'Album' in gold lettering, held 33 crayon drawings made between 1917 and 1924. A ministry statement noted the case required special tools to open, suggesting a professional operation.
Investigators believe security may have been further compromised by an ongoing temporary installation by artist Daniel Buren, whose large mirror work was said to have obstructed surveillance of the collection. The museum has also been undergoing renovation and was due to close soon for major expansion work.
A French art-theft police official said the drawings could fetch several million euros from willing buyers. Works by Picasso, who was born in Malaga and died in Mougins in 1973, command record auction prices and have attracted thieves before. Two Picasso paintings valued at roughly 50 million euros were stolen from the Paris home of his granddaughter in February 2007.
Historical summary. TurkishPress restated this wire report, first published in June 2009, in its own words.