Kunsthaus Zürich Reports Two Old Master Paintings Missing, Police Investigate
The Facts
Kunsthaus Zürich has reported two Old Master paintings missing from its collection, with police investigations underway. The works, both private permanent loans, disappeared after being taken down for cleaning and restoration following a fire on the night of August 2-3, 2022. The museum filed a criminal complaint on January 13, 2023, after internal searches failed to locate them. The missing paintings are "Soldiers in Camp" by Robert van den Hoecke (mid-17th century, 18.8 x 24.7 cm) and "Narcissi and Other Flowers in a Glass Vase on a Marble Slab" by Dirck de Bray (1673, 30.9 x 23.5 cm), both oil on oak, framed and glazed. The museum has registered the works in the Art Loss Register and is conducting its own investigation alongside police.
The Signal
The disappearance raises concerns about security protocols at one of Switzerland's leading museums, which relies on private loans for nearly three-quarters of its painting and sculpture collection. Director Ann Demeester stated the museum is "shaken" by the possibility that works could go missing despite security measures. A crisis team has been established to review procedures, and the museum has confirmed that all other works exhibited at the time of the fire are accounted for. The incident underscores the vulnerability of Old Master works on loan and the importance of rigorous inventory tracking in institutional collections.
- Artists: Robert van den Hoecke, Dirck de Bray
- People: Ann Demeester
- Museums: Kunsthaus Zürich
- Locations: Zürich
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