The recent theft of Andy Warhol’s silkscreens from a Dutch gallery has initiated a forensic investigation and raised alarms over art security.
Stolen Warhol Artworks Spark International Investigation After Dutch Gallery Heist

Stolen Warhol Artworks Spark International Investigation After Dutch Gallery Heist
Overnight burglary leads to theft of priceless Andy Warhol silkscreens.
A dramatic burglary took place at the MPV Gallery in the Netherlands, resulting in the theft of two valuable artworks by the iconic American artist Andy Warhol. The heist unfolded overnight in the North Brabant province, where thieves made off with two silkscreens from Warhol's celebrated Reigning Queens series.
Initial reports reveal that the culprits pilfered four artworks, but seemingly abandoned two nearby as they were not able to fit them into their getaway vehicle. The silkscreens taken feature portraits of the late Queen Elizabeth II and Margrethe II, who recently abdicated the Danish throne.
According to gallery owner statements made to Dutch public broadcaster NOS, local law enforcement officials are probing the incident, which appears to involve some form of explosion. This led to severe damage both at the gallery and the adjacent buildings.
Authorities confirmed that the thieves escaped in a car, leaving behind two other silkscreens depicting Queen Beatrix of the Netherlands and Queen Ntombi Tfwala of Eswatini, which were also part of the same series. The stolen artworks were slated for the upcoming PAN Amsterdam art fair, where they were set to be showcased as a collection for sale.
The Reigning Queens series consists of 16 silkscreen prints that Warhol produced in 1985, two years prior to his death. Notably, two portraits portraying Queen Elizabeth II fetched over £500,000 each during a Sotheby’s auction in 2022, underscoring the high market value and significance of the stolen pieces.
As the investigation unfolds, art specialists and gallery owners are urged to enhance their security measures to prevent similar incidents in the future.
Initial reports reveal that the culprits pilfered four artworks, but seemingly abandoned two nearby as they were not able to fit them into their getaway vehicle. The silkscreens taken feature portraits of the late Queen Elizabeth II and Margrethe II, who recently abdicated the Danish throne.
According to gallery owner statements made to Dutch public broadcaster NOS, local law enforcement officials are probing the incident, which appears to involve some form of explosion. This led to severe damage both at the gallery and the adjacent buildings.
Authorities confirmed that the thieves escaped in a car, leaving behind two other silkscreens depicting Queen Beatrix of the Netherlands and Queen Ntombi Tfwala of Eswatini, which were also part of the same series. The stolen artworks were slated for the upcoming PAN Amsterdam art fair, where they were set to be showcased as a collection for sale.
The Reigning Queens series consists of 16 silkscreen prints that Warhol produced in 1985, two years prior to his death. Notably, two portraits portraying Queen Elizabeth II fetched over £500,000 each during a Sotheby’s auction in 2022, underscoring the high market value and significance of the stolen pieces.
As the investigation unfolds, art specialists and gallery owners are urged to enhance their security measures to prevent similar incidents in the future.