# Salzburg Mozart statues exhibition

> Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/salzburg-mozart-statues-exhibition
> Updated: 2026-08-12T10:25:00.000Z. Sources: 20. Developments: 3.

In mid‑July 2026, the International Mozart Foundation commissioned German artist Ottmar Hörl to install approximately 320 gold‑colored, 50‑cm plastic figures of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart throughout Salzburg’s Mirabellgarden and nearby sites to mark the composer’s 270th birthday. The vacuum‑drawn statues were intended to be sold as souvenirs after the exhibition concluded at the end of August.

By late July, more than 80 figures had been stolen from the Mirabellgarden. Linus Klumpner, director of the foundation, appealed to the public to leave the remaining pieces in place, noting that no criminal charges would be pursued because the works are considered public‑domain artworks belonging to the artist. 

By mid‑August, the exhibition in the Mirabellgarten was prematurely canceled following a significant escalation in thefts. Of the original 320 figures, 210 have been stolen, resulting in an estimated 20,000 euro loss. Artist Ottmar Hörl characterized the incident as “organized theft” rather than the actions of individual tourists, suggesting the figures were taken at night while the park was locked. Because the manufacturer is currently on summer break, replacements are unavailable. A small number of the remaining sculptures will continue to be displayed at the Mozarteum and Mozart’s Birthplace through the end of August.

## Timeline

### 2026-08-12: Salzburg art theft: 210 Mozart statuettes stolen from exhibition

Thieves stole 210 golden Mozart statuettes from an art installation in Salzburg, Austria, prompting an early end to the exhibition and causing an estimated 20,000 euro loss.

14 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/ottmar-hrl-sculptures-stolen-from-salzburg-mirabellgarten

### 2026-07-29: Ottmar Hörl's Mini Mozart Sculptures Stolen in Salzburg

Eighty‑six miniature Mozart statues were stolen from Salzburg’s Mirabellgarten, part of Ottmar Hörl’s 270th‑birthday installation commissioned by the International Stiftung Mozarteum; over 80 figures are now <

3 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/ottmar-hrls-mini-mozart-sculptures-stolen-in-salzburg

### 2026-07-15: Salzburg's Mirabellgarden hosts 300 gold Mozart statues

Around 300 gold 50‑cm Mozart statues by Ottmar Hörl are on display in Salzburg’s Mirabellgarden and nearby sites until late August, marking the composer’s 270th birthday.

4 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/salzburgs-mirabellgarden-hosts-300-gold-mozart-statues

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Cite as: Salzburg Mozart statues exhibition. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/salzburg-mozart-statues-exhibition