Thieves tried to steal four artworks in the Netherlands. However, they only took two because the rest were too damaged to carry. These artworks were made by famous artist Andy Warhol. They were of four queens from different countries.
The theft happened at an art gallery. It was recorded on security cameras. The gallery owner, Mark Peet Visser, said the thieves used a bomb to blow open the gallery’s door. This caused a lot of damage to the building. He also said the thieves were not very good because they could not fit all the artwork in their car.
Two of the damaged artworks were left on the street. The ones taken were of Queen Elizabeth II of the UK and Queen Margrethe II of Denmark. The artworks of Queen Beatrix of the Netherlands and Queen Mother Ntombi Tfwala of Eswatini were left behind.
People know little about the theft. One thing that strikes them is that the thieves used explosives. Normally, thieves do not use explosives to steal art.
The police are looking for people who saw the theft. They are also studying the damaged gallery. Mark Visser says the artworks are worth a lot of money. But an art detective says they are not unique. This means they will not be as valuable as other artworks.
Vocabulary List:
- Theft /θɛft/ (noun): The act of stealing.
- Artworks /ˈɑːrt.wɜːrks/ (noun): Pieces of art typically visual art.
- Explosives /ɪkˈspləʊsɪvz/ (noun): Substances that explode typically used for demolition or theft.
- Gallery /ˈɡælərɪ/ (noun): A room or building for the exhibition of art.
- Valuable /ˈvæl.jə.bəl/ (adjective): Having considerable worth or value.
- Damaged /ˈdæm.ɪdʒd/ (adjective): Harmed or injured causing a reduction in value or quality.
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