Police recover stolen Picasso and Montrian paintings in Athens after nine years

·

Almost nine years after they were stolen in a near-perfect heist at the National Gallery in Athens, Pablo Picasso’s “Head of a Woman” and Piet Montrian’s “Stammer Windmill” have been found.

The two works were recovered in the eastern Attican town of Keratea, hidden inside the house of a Greek man, who was being monitored by police.

The perpetrators of the 2012 theft had also removed an early 17th-century sketch attributed to the Italian Mannerist artist Guglielmo Caccia. This sketch was found damaged.

Piet Montrian’s “Stammer Windmill” has also been found.

The two paintings are now in the possession of the police.

The 2021 art heist had baffled police. The two burglars entered the gallery in the early hours through an unlocked balcony door, having drawn security guards away from the paintings by setting off alarms at several locations throughout the museum. Security footage shows the men swiftly stripping the paintings from their frames. 

The paintings were stolen in a near-perfect heist at the National Gallery in Athens.

Although two men were arrested and convicted for the heist, the identity of the mastermind behind the heist remained a mystery.

Picasso painted “Head of a Woman” in 1939. Ten years later, he offered the work to the Greek people in honour of their contribution to the resistance under Nazi occupation.

On the back of the painting, a handwritten dedication of the Spanish painter states: “Pour le peuple grec, hommage de Picasso” (For the Greek people, tribute from Picasso).

Source: Ekathimerini.

greek film festival sydney new

Advertisement

Share:

KEEP UP TO DATE WITH TGH

By subscribing you accept our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy.

Advertisement

Latest News

Greek film festival turns 30 with a Stellar Line-Up of Award-Winning films

The Greek Film Festival is celebrating a major anniversary this year - 30 years of bringing Greek stories to Australian screens.

Summer School for Greek Language teachers in Australia

For the first time in Australia, a specialized online summer school will be held for teachers of the Greek language in the diaspora.

Children’s week at the Greek Community of Melbourne

As part of Children’s Week the Greek Community of Melbourne Schools are taking part in the celebrations organised by the Victorian Government

Get Online Week at the Greek Community of Melbourne

As part of Get Online Week 2025, the Greek Community of Melbourne and Victoria will proudly join Good Things Foundation’s national campaign.

St Benedict School in Mt Torrens rejects screens, embraces ancient Greek philosophy

Established in early 2024 by members of the Catholic Church of the Holy Name, St Benedict has grown to around 50 students.

You May Also Like

NK Foundation inspiring tennis community with new facility development in Canberra

"For all the families in the Gungahlin region, this facility will fill the desperate need for tennis courts in the area," Nick Kyrgios said.

Fronditha Care staff member tests positive to COVID-19

On Friday, 10 July 2020, a staff member of Fronditha Care's St Albans residential aged care team tested positive for coronavirus.

On this day in 1994, Greek American actor Telly Savalas died aged 72

Telly Savalas was a Greek-American actor made a legacy for himself as Lt. Theo Kojak in 'Kojak', a role that continues to be idolised in modern television.