Summary
Two paintings by Auguste Renoir stolen from the Renoir Museum in southern France last month have been found. Six suspects have been arrested in connection with the theft.Key Facts
- The theft happened on September 8 at the Renoir Museum in Cagnes-sur-Mer, where Renoir lived in his final years.
- Thieves cut through a fence, smashed a window, and used an electric saw inside the museum.
- Four paintings were initially taken, but two were dropped in the museum’s garden as the thieves fled.
- The recovered paintings are "Portrait of Madame Colonna Romano" (1910) and "Jeune fille au puits" (1886).
- Mayor Bryan Masson said the paintings are important parts of the city’s history and cultural heritage.
- The Renoir Museum houses 12 works by Renoir and personal items like his easel and wheelchair.
- Similar art thefts have recently occurred in Europe, including a robbery at a museum near Parma, Italy, and a major jewel theft at the Louvre in Paris.
- More details about the recovery of the paintings were expected to be announced later.
