Art thefts impact European museums and Salzburg landmarks

European museums are facing a series of high-profile thefts. In Salzburg, over 200 gold-colored statues of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, approximately 50 cm tall, were stolen during celebrations for the composer’s 270th anniversary. Additionally, several paintings recently disappeared from a museum in Messina, Sicily, contributing to a trend that prompted France to implement a national security plan for museums and monuments in July.

Erik Edelstam of the international art organization CINOA noted that while thefts may not be increasing, they are receiving more attention following major incidents like the 2025 Louvre theft.

In a separate recovery, police in Brazil found eight stolen engravings by Henri Matisse. The works, valued at approximately 1.9 million SEK, were stolen from a library in São Paulo last year and were recovered in a residence in São Bernardo, leading to an arrest.