The Unfortunate Affair at the Hôtel Salé
On quiet little rue de Thorigny in the Marais stands the Hôtel Salé, an hôtel particulier constructed between 1656 and 1659 for Pierre Aubert de Fontenay, who had gained his fortune collecting the tax on salt (whence the name, “salé,” or “salted”). Since 1985, it has housed the Musée Picasso, which contains the most comprehensive collection of the master’s works and covers all his periods.
Yesterday morning, a museum employee, in doing his daily inventory, made a disturbing discovery. In a display case formerly occupied by a notebook of sketches and drawings by Pablo Picasso (with an estimated value of €8 million), there was nothing. Empty.
According to police, the theft probably occurred between Monday night and Tuesday morning (the day the museum is closed to the public, although this Tuesday it was exceptionally open to residents of the neighorhood). There were no signs of a break-in, nor were alarms set off. Preliminary information indicates that the sketchbook was kept in an unlocked display case located on the first floor.
A dispatch from the Ministry of Culture describes a small notebook, 16 x 24 centimeters (approximately 6.30 x 9.45 inches), with a red cover bearing the inscription in gold letters, “Album,” containing 33 sketches and drawings executed by Picasso between 1917 and 1924. According to this source, the display case in question could only be opened with the aid of special tools.
The investigation is being conducted by the Brigade de la Répression de Banditisme, the arm of the Parisian police specializing in traffic and theft of works of art. Police sources characterize the security in the museum as weak, due to current renovation work, and surveillance may also have been impeded by an immense installation of a work by the sculptor Daniel Buren.
A daring, cleverly planned crime, or one of opportunity, no less daring? At this point, it’s hard to say. I’ll keep you posted as information becomes available.
Jan del Monte, blogging from the rue du Cherche-Midi, Paris, France
© 2009 Jan del Monte
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Thinking about that small red “Album” makes me want to see it. I hope it is soon returned so that others can see it. This is all very sad.
That would be the desired outcome, anniemousette, but, unfortunately, in so many of these cases, the art is never recovered.
Thanks Jan for the details,
Love your blog!
Thanks, cigalechanta. Any trips planned?