A shocking incident has unfolded in the Netherlands, as the Maashorst municipality announced the accidental disposal of 46 artworks during renovation work on a town hall. Among the lost pieces is a 1980s silkscreen print of Queen Beatrix, created by the renowned artist Andy Warhol, estimated to be worth €15,000. The municipality has acknowledged that these artworks were likely thrown away as a part of general trash during the renovation process.
During the town hall renovations in Uden, the artworks were placed in a basement without adequate guidelines for their proper storage. Investigators found that the items were carelessly stored in wheelie bins, leading to their unfortunate fate. Mayor Hans van der Pas expressed regret, stating, "That's not how you treat valuables. But it happened."
A municipal statement indicated that ownership protocols and storage policies were inadequate, contributing to the artworks' loss. The entire collection, which had an estimated worth of €22,000, includes prints that were poorly handled and ultimately unaccounted for.
The print of Queen Beatrix is part of Warhol's celebrated series, "Reigning Queens," created in 1985, which features portraits of four monarchs. Queen Beatrix, who ascended to the throne in 1980, abdicated in 2013 in favor of her son, King Willem-Alexander. Tragically, local media reports indicate that the chances of recovering these lost artworks are slim.
This incident adds to the narrative of Warhol prints being a target for crime; just months earlier, prints of Queen Beatrix and Queen Ntombi Twala of Eswatini were stolen from a gallery but later abandoned by thieves due to space issues in their getaway vehicle. The history surrounding Warhol’s works continues to capture attention, both in the context of artistic value and the complexities of their safeguarding.
