Thieves Use Explosives in Warhol Print Heist

A botched art heist in the Netherlands resulted in the theft of two Andy Warhol screen prints depicting Queen Elizabeth II and Queen Margrethe II of Denmark from the MPV Gallery, while two other prints were left damaged on the street. The thieves used explosives to break into the gallery, causing extensive damage to the building and nearby shops. The stolen prints are part of Warhol's 1985 'Reigning Queens' series, which also includes portraits of Queen Beatrix of the Netherlands and Ntombi Tfwala, Queen Mother of Eswatini, the latter two being abandoned by the thieves when they couldn't fit in their getaway car. The robbery, deemed 'amateurish' by gallery owner Mark Peet Visser, was captured on security cameras, and police are seeking witnesses as forensic experts examine the site. Despite the theft, the prints are unlikely to be sold easily due to their distinct numbering and potential damage, diminishing their value. Art experts noted the unusual use of explosives in the heist, which is not typical for art thefts.