Summary of Michael Finkel's The Art Thief

By IRB Media

Get the Summary of Michael Finkel's The Art Thief in 20 minutes. Please note: This is a summary & not the original book. "The Art Thief: A True Story of Love, Crime, and a Dangerous Obsession" recounts the astonishing tale of Stéphane Breitwieser, a notorious art thief, and his accomplice and girlfriend, Anne-Catherine Kleinklaus. Breitwieser, driven by a passion for beauty rather than financial gain, meticulously plans and executes the theft of an ivory sculpture of Adam and Eve from the Rubens House museum in Antwerp, Belgium. The couple's residence in Mulhouse, France, serves as a sanctuary for their pilfered treasures, including a vast collection of art and historical artifacts valued at around two billion dollars...

• Language: English
• Publisher: IRB Media
• Release date: Mar 11, 2024
• ISBN: 9798350084214

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Summary of Michael Finkel's The Art Thief

Overview

The Art Thief: A True Story of Love, Crime, and a Dangerous Obsession recounts the astonishing tale of Stéphane Breitwieser, a notorious art thief, and his accomplice and girlfriend, Anne-Catherine Kleinklaus. Breitwieser, driven by a passion for beauty rather than financial gain, meticulously plans and executes the theft of an ivory sculpture of Adam and Eve from the Rubens House museum in Antwerp, Belgium. The couple's residence in Mulhouse, France, serves as a sanctuary for their pilfered treasures, including a vast collection of art and historical artifacts valued at around two billion dollars. Despite admitting to the thefts, Breitwieser does not see himself as a typical art thief and despises those who commit violent art crimes or destroy art. His obsession with art began in childhood, influenced by his grandfather's treasure hunts and his family's appreciation for antiques. Breitwieser's relationship with Anne-Catherine is complex; she supports his criminal endeavors, yet her perspective remains less clear. The couple's life is marked by modest living, a deep connection to the art they steal, and a disregard for societal rules. As their criminal activities escalate, they face the inevitable consequences of their actions, leading to a dramatic unraveling of their extraordinary life surrounded by stolen masterpieces.

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Art of Deception

Stéphane Breitwieser and Anne-Catherine Kleinklaus, a seemingly ordinary couple, casually enter the Rubens House museum in Antwerp, Belgium, on a bustling Sunday in February 1997. They effortlessly blend into the crowd, with Anne-Catherine donning secondhand Chanel and Dior, and Breitwieser sporting a slightly oversized overcoat, concealing a Swiss Army knife. Their target is an exquisite ivory sculpture of Adam and Eve, which Breitwieser had previously scouted and become fixated on. He is well-versed in the museum's layout and the routines of the guards, particularly during lunchtime when security is known to be lax.

Breitwieser adopts various stances to mimic an art enthusiast, while Anne-Catherine remains vigilant. They seize a moment of solitude, and Breitwieser swiftly sets to work on removing the sculpture from its plexiglass case, his efforts only momentarily hindered by the sporadic appearance of guards or visitors. He unscrews the case without gloves, favoring tactile precision over the risk of leaving fingerprints. Once the screws are removed, Anne-Catherine departs with her large purse, now unnecessary for the heist.

Concealing the sculpture under his coat, Breitwieser exits through a staff door he had previously noted. He strolls through the museum with a calm demeanor and steps out onto the street, where he reunites with Anne-Catherine at their parked vehicle. They drive off slowly, maintaining their composure until they reach the safety of the highway, where they allow themselves to revel in their excitement.

Their residence in Mulhouse, France, is a modest concrete house with a bedroom that doubles as a sanctuary for their pilfered treasures. This room is always locked, its windows shuttered, concealing the evidence of their illicit activities.

Upon waking, Breitwieser's gaze falls upon the ivory carving of Adam and Eve, now prominently displayed on his bedside table. He often caresses it, following the lines carved by the artist, feeling the texture of Eve's hair, the serpent's scales, and the rough bark of the tree. This remarkable piece, potentially more valuable than all the homes on his street, is just one of many in his collection. Alongside it rests another ivory depicting Diana, the goddess of the hunt and fertility, with her arm raised, and a third representing Saint Catherine of Alexandria. A fourth piece shows Cupid triumphing over death, his foot resting on a skull. These glowing ivories offer a powerful start to his day.

Yet, there is an object even more captivating: a golden tobacco box with blue enamel, a commission from