Two Renoir Paintings Worth $10.5 M. Recovered After Theft

The Renoir Museum is getting back two of its paintings that were taken during a pre-dawn raid. The paintings were recovered by the local authorities in Cagnes-sur-Mer, in southern France, where the museum is located.

Mayor Bryan Masson, a member of France’s far-right National Rally, said in a statement that these “two paintings are far more than works of art. They are part of our city’s history, our cultural heritage and the legacy Auguste Renoir left to Cagnes-sur-Mer. Their recovery is a tremendous relief for the people of Cagnes-sur-Mer and for everyone who cares deeply about our museum.”

The stolen paintings were Portrait of Madame Colonna Romano (1910) and Jeune fille au puits (1886), which are estimated to be worth €9 million ($10.5 million). Six suspects have been arrested in relation to the theft.

In September, thieves stole four paintings by the Impressionist painter, but abandoned two of four paintings, Portrait of Madame Pichon (1895) and Coco Lisant (1905). “Attacking the Renoir Museum is an attack on a part of Cagnes-sur-Mer’s history and heritage,” Masson said at the time, adding that the thieves used “an electric knife” or “a metal saw” to cut the bolts from which the paintings hung.

Prior to the robbery, the museum had on view 12 of Renoir’s paintings. The Renoir Museum was the artist’s last home, and it exhibits his paintings, sculptures, and furniture. Renoir is currently the subject of blockbuster exhibition at the National Gallery in London, featuring 40 of his paintings.



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