Art
Thieves Hit TEFAF Art Fair in Daylight Heist – The New York Times
A gang used a sledgehammer to smash open a display case and make off with jewelry at the renowned Dutch art fair, as dealers looked on, aghast.
On Tuesday morning, Marian Bies-de Wolf was working at TEFAF, the world’s pre-eminent fine art and antiquities fairs, when she saw a group of men running through its corridors.
It was a strange sight, she said in a telephone interview, since “nobody runs at TEFAF,” which is held annually in Maastricht, the Netherlands.
Then things got stranger, Ms. Bies-de Wolf said, as the men pulled out a heavy object and “started bashing up” a glass case in the next booth, which belonged to the London jewelry dealer Symbolic & Chase. Ms. Bies-de Wolf could not see if the men took anything, she said; after someone shouted that the thieves had a gun, she ran away.
Several hours after the robbery, it was still unclear what the thieves had stolen. The Dutch police said in a news release that four men had taken jewelry, but gave no further information. Two men from Belgium had been arrested and their potential involvement was being investigated, it added, while a search for other people connected to the theft was ongoing.
Wim Coenen, a spokesman for the Dutch police in Limburg, the region that covers Maastricht, said in a telephone interview that he could not comment further or state whether any jewelry had been recovered.
A spokesman for Symbolic & Chase declined to comment on the incident.
TEFAF, also known as the European Fine Art Fair, is one of the world’s longest-running art fairs specializing in fine art and antiquities. The current edition, its 35th, opened on Saturday and runs through Thursday.
This year’s event features 242 dealers, among them Symbolic & Chase. According to its Instagram feed, Symbolic & Chase had a multitude of items on display at the fair, including diamond rings, and an intricate, Japanese-inspired gold bracelet.
TEFAF’s organizers did not mention the fair had experienced a robbery on social media. In a post on Twitter they said that the fair was “temporarily evacuated due to an incident,” and was “still open to visitors and exhibitors.”
Yet events seemed more dramatic to witnesses. James Butterwick, a British dealer, said by phone that he was just yards from the robbery when it happened. Mr. Butterwick said he walked out of another booth to see a man trying to smash a glass case.
A Dutch fair visitor picked up a vase of flowers and tried to confront the robbers, Mr. Butterwick added, only for one of the thieves to pull out what appeared to be a gun, which he waved at onlookers. “Things took a bit of a turn for the worse,” Mr. Butterwick said.
Mr. Butterwick, whose account was corroborated by video of the robbery posted on social media, said the event lasted about 30 seconds. He did not see what the robbers stole, he added, but they seemed to be “after specific items.”
When he entered the fair, Mr. Butterwick said, security personnel at the entrance “took a close look at you,” and checked bags, though no one had to walk through metal detectors or was patted down.
He added that he did not see any security guards confront the robbers. TEFAF said in an email statement on Tuesday afternoon that the Dutch police were on site within minutes. “Nobody was injured during the incident,” the TEFAF statement added.
This is not the first time TEFAF has been hit by a robbery. In 2008, thieves stole a diamond necklace worth about $1.8 million from the fair; in 2010, a ring and necklace worth about $1.3 million were stolen from a booth run by Hancocks, another London jewelry dealer.
Hancocks did not respond to a request for an interview on Tuesday.
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Ukrainian sells art in Essex while stuck in a warzone BBC.com
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The Courtauld Gallery at Somerset House has reopened its doors to the public after a fire swept through the historic building in central London. While the gallery has resumed operations, the rest of the iconic site remains closed “until further notice.”
On Saturday, approximately 125 firefighters were called to the scene to battle the blaze, which sent smoke billowing across the city. Fortunately, the fire occurred in a part of the building not housing valuable artworks, and no injuries were reported. Authorities are still investigating the cause of the fire.
Despite the disruption, art lovers queued outside the gallery before it reopened at 10:00 BST on Sunday. One visitor expressed his relief, saying, “I was sad to see the fire, but I’m relieved the art is safe.”
The Clark family, visiting London from Washington state, USA, had a unique perspective on the incident. While sightseeing on the London Eye, they watched as firefighters tackled the flames. Paul Clark, accompanied by his wife Jiorgia and their four children, shared their concern for the safety of the artwork inside Somerset House. “It was sad to see,” Mr. Clark told the BBC. As a fan of Vincent Van Gogh, he was particularly relieved to learn that the painter’s famous Self-Portrait with Bandaged Ear had not been affected by the fire.
Blaze in the West Wing
The fire broke out around midday on Saturday in the west wing of Somerset House, a section of the building primarily used for offices and storage. Jonathan Reekie, director of Somerset House Trust, assured the public that “no valuable artefacts or artworks” were located in that part of the building. By Sunday, fire engines were still stationed outside as investigations into the fire’s origin continued.
About Somerset House
Located on the Strand in central London, Somerset House is a prominent arts venue with a rich history dating back to the Georgian era. Built on the site of a former Tudor palace, the complex is known for its iconic courtyard and is home to the Courtauld Gallery. The gallery houses a prestigious collection from the Samuel Courtauld Trust, showcasing masterpieces from the Middle Ages to the 20th century. Among the notable works are pieces by impressionist legends such as Edouard Manet, Claude Monet, Paul Cézanne, and Vincent Van Gogh.
Somerset House regularly hosts cultural exhibitions and public events, including its popular winter ice skating sessions in the courtyard. However, for now, the venue remains partially closed as authorities ensure the safety of the site following the fire.
Art lovers and the Somerset House community can take solace in knowing that the invaluable collection remains unharmed, and the Courtauld Gallery continues to welcome visitors, offering a reprieve amid the disruption.
Sudbury’s annual art and music festival is marking a significant milestone this year, celebrating its long-standing impact on the local cultural scene. The festival, which has grown from a small community event to a major celebration of creativity, brings together artists, musicians, and visitors from across the region for a weekend of vibrant performances and exhibitions.
The event features a diverse range of activities, from live music performances to art installations, workshops, and interactive exhibits that highlight both emerging and established talent. This year’s milestone celebration will also honor the festival’s history by showcasing some of the artists and performers who have contributed to its success over the years.
Organizers are excited to see how the festival has evolved, becoming a cornerstone of Sudbury’s cultural landscape. “This festival is a celebration of creativity, community, and the incredible talent we have here in Sudbury,” said one of the event’s coordinators. “It’s amazing to see how it has grown and the impact it continues to have on the arts community.”
With this year’s milestone celebration, the festival promises to be bigger and better than ever, with a full lineup of exciting events, workshops, and performances that will inspire and engage attendees of all ages.
The festival’s milestone is not just a reflection of its past success but a celebration of the continued vibrancy of Sudbury’s arts scene.
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