Police investigate destruction of famous artworks

ABC News ^ | Fri, 17 May 2002 9:56 AEST

[gd124]

French police are investigating the destruction of more than 60 paintings by major artists worth more than $2.5 billion.

Police say the mother of the man responsible for stealing the famous artworks destroyed them to cover up her son's crimes.

Police say 31-year-old Stephane Breitwieser stole the paintings and other art works from more than 170 European museums, include the Louvre.

But when he was arrested his mother Mireille was so enraged she allegedly dumped around 100 precious objects, including 17th and 18th century sculptures, into a canal.

She is then accused of slashing 60 paintings by masters and feeding them through the garbage disposal system.

Police say she destroyed the art works because she was afraid of losing her job.

Her son says he only stole the works he liked.

[gd124]

When I read things like this I feel deep revulsion and disgust. What kind of criminal idiot would destroy thousands of years of European culture just because she was angry that her son was caught.

Has anyone found any pictures of the destroyed artwork?

[absinthe]

French police are investigating the destruction of more than 60 paintings by major artists worth more than $2.5 billion.

The artists are worth that much?

[brat]

This is so sad...I cannot believe anyone would do this.

[rockfish59]

When one Van Gogh sells for 30 million, you can see why that many would add up!

[RIGHT IN SEATTLE]

If I typed what I felt,..........

I'd be on suspension again!

[VietVet]

What I can't understand is how this one guy managed to swipe over 170 works of art from as many museums before getting caught.

His mother's actions make more sense if we view them as trying to destroy the evidence.

VietVet

[gd124]

Apparently he never sold any of them which is why he lasted so long without being found out.

[vannrox]

No. I don't know which paintings were destroyed. But, real ART is irreplacable. It saddens me.

[BlueLancer]

"I'd be on suspension again!"

Double-secret probation?

[ELS]

bump

[staytrue]

I always thought that genetics were very important. But considering we have a brilliant but misguided son and an idiot mother, I may have to reevaluate.

[ScreamingFist]

Who is the artist and what is the title for the center work on your post #10? It's beautiful!

[vannrox]

Go HERE to see all the kinds of artists that paint in the classical style. I can't remember which painter it is, but I would suggest you look into ALMA-TDEMA , and J.W.Waterhouse, and Caravaggio for starters.

[xp38]

What kind of criminal idiot would destroy thousands of years of European culture...

An EU Citizen.

Obviously a Philistine..... :)