Vincent Van Gogh Painting Stolen From Amsterdam Museum

A painting by Dutch master Vincent van Gogh was stolen in an overnight smash-and-grab raid on a museum that was closed to prevent spre of coronavirus, police and museum said Monday.

Singer Laren museum east of Amsterdam said that “ Parson Garden at Nuenen in Spring 1884 ” by Dutch master was taken in early hours of Monday. By early afteron, all that could be seen from outside of museum was a large white panel covering a door in building’s glass face.

Museum General Director Evert van Os said institution that houses collection of American couple William and Anna Singer is “angry, shocked, s” at ft of painting.

value of work, which was on loan from Groninger Museum in rrn Dutch city of Groningen, was t immediately kwn. Police are investigating ft.

“I’m shocked and unbelievably anyed that this has happened,” said Singer Laren museum director Jan Rudolph de Lorm.

“This beautiful and moving painting by one of our greatest artists stolen - removed from community,” he ded. “It is very b for Groninger Museum, it is very b for Singer, but it is terrible for us all because art exists to be seen and shared by us, community, to enjoy to draw inspiration from and to draw comfort from, especially in se difficult times.”

Police said in a statement that thief or thieves smashed a glass door to get into museum. That set off an alarm that sent officers rushing to museum but by time y got re painting and whoever stole it were gone.

A team including forensics and art ft experts was studying video foot and questioning neighbors.

Before closure, museum was hosting an exhibition titled “Mirror of Soul” with works by artists ranging from Jan Toorop to Piet Mondrian, in cooperation with Amsterdam’s Rijksmuseum.

Singer Laren’s collection has a focus on modernism such as neo-impressionism, pointillism, expressionism and cubism. It is t first high profile ft from museum. In 2007, thieves stole seven works from its sculpture garden, including a bronze cast of “ Thinker” by Auguste Rodin. famous sculpture was recovered a few days later, missing a leg.