The Maashorst municipality in the Netherlands has confirmed that during renovations, it likely disposed of valuable artworks, including a print by Andy Warhol of Queen Beatrix. An investigation revealed that inadequate storage protocols led to their accidental disposal. These artworks, valued at approximately €22,000, are now considered irretrievable.
Vanished Treasures: Dutch Town Hall's Renovation Leads to Loss of Warhol Artwork
Vanished Treasures: Dutch Town Hall's Renovation Leads to Loss of Warhol Artwork
A Dutch town hall accidentally discards 46 valuable artworks, including an Andy Warhol print of Queen Beatrix, due to poor storage practices amid renovations.
In a shocking revelation, the Maashorst municipality in the Netherlands has admitted that 46 pieces of valuable artwork, including an Andy Warhol print featuring Queen Beatrix, were most likely thrown away during renovation work last year. The town hall acknowledged this unfortunate incident, noting that a 1980s silkscreen print of the former Dutch queen, valued at around €15,000 (£12,800), is among the lost items.
The artworks had been stored in a basement while renovation works were ongoing at the town hall in Uden, which is now part of the Maashorst municipality after merging with Landerd. Investigators found that some pieces had been carelessly placed in wheelie bins, implying that proper guidelines for the handling and storage of valuable items were severely lacking. Mayor Hans van der Pas expressed regret, stating, “That's not how you treat valuables. But it happened.”
A report detailing the investigation concluded that various factors contributed to the loss, including a failure to establish clear ownership of the artworks, a lack of formal policies regarding renovations, and insufficient initiatives taken when artworks went missing. Local reports estimate the total value of all 46 lost artworks at around €22,000 (£18,800), with town officials expressing doubts about their recovery.
The Queen Beatrix print was part of Warhol's renowned series, Reigning Queens, which features vibrant portraits of several monarchs. Warhol, a pivotal figure in 20th-century art, produced these iconic prints in 1985, shortly before his death. Moreover, it’s worth noting that Warhol prints depicting Queen Beatrix and Queen Ntombi Twala of Eswatini had previously been stolen in a separate incident last November but were later abandoned by thieves due to their inability to fit the stolen vehicle.
As investigations continue, this incident serves as a stark reminder of the importance of safeguarding cultural artifacts amidst infrastructural changes.
