A priceless Andy Warhol print of Queen Beatrix was among 46 artworks accidentally disposed of by the Dutch town hall of Maashorst during renovation works, highlighting the importance of proper art storage and handling.
A recent incident has shed light on the importance of proper art storage and handling. In October last year, an exhibition featuring Andy Warhol prints in Apeldoorn, Netherlands, was marred by a tragic accident. The municipality of Maashorst admitted to accidentally disposing of 46 artworks, including a valuable print of ‘Queen Beatrix’, during renovation works.
Investigation Reveals Lack of Guidelines and Poor Handling
An investigation into the incident revealed that the artworks were stored in a basement during renovations and lacked proper guidelines for storage. This lack of care led to the accidental disposal of the artworks, which were valued at around €22,000 (approximately £18,800). The report concluded that ownership was not properly established, policies and procedures were lacking, and insufficient action was taken when the artworks turned out to be missing.
Background on ‘Queen Beatrix’s Print’**
The lost print of Queen Beatrix was part of Warhol’s series ‘Reigning Queens,’ which featured 16 colorful prints of four monarchs. The print in question is a silkscreen artwork from the 1980s, valued at around €15,000 (approximately £12,800). This particular piece was one of several stolen and abandoned during a heist on a Dutch art gallery in November last year.
Queen Beatrix (born Julia Johanna Wilhelmina; born August 31, 1938) is a member of the Dutch royal family.
She reigned as Queen of the Netherlands from April 30, 1980, to April 30, 2013.
Born into the House of Orange-Nassau, Beatrix was educated in the Netherlands and abroad.
She married Claus von Amsberg, with whom she had three children.
During her reign, Queen Beatrix implemented significant constitutional reforms and played a key role in Dutch politics.
Previous Theft and Abandonment
In November last year, thieves stole four silkscreen prints from the MPV Gallery in North Brabant province. However, the portraits of ‘Queen Beatrix’ and ‘Queen Ntombi Twala’ were later abandoned because they did not fit in the vehicle. The incident highlights the vulnerability of valuable artworks to theft and mishandling.
Municipality Regrets Loss
The Mayor of Maashorst municipality expressed regret over the loss, stating that ‘that’s not how you treat valuables.’ While it is unclear whether the lost artworks will ever be recovered, the incident serves as a reminder of the importance of proper art storage and handling.
