Two stolen Renoir paintings returned in France

Two paintings by the French impressionist artist Auguste Renoir, stolen from a museum in southern France, were returned a month after the theft, France 24 reported, citing the city hall of Caignes-sur-Mer.

The paintings are Portrait of Madame Column Romano (1910) and The Girl at the Well (1886). Mayor Brian Masson said the return was a cause for great joy and relief. According to him, the paintings are part of the history and cultural heritage of Caignes-sur-Mer.

“These two paintings are not just works of art. They are part of our city's history, Masson said.

The Renoir Museum in Caignes-sur-Mer was robbed on September 8. Two intruders wearing helmets, gloves and masks got inside and stole four paintings in less than three minutes. Two of them - "Portrait of Madame Stefan Pichon" and "Coco reading" - were later found in the garden of the museum, two more works continued to be searched for. The value of the stolen works was estimated at €9 million.

Pierre Auguste Renoir (1841–1919) was a French impressionist painter who participated in the first Impressionist exhibition in Paris in 1874. In 1907 he acquired the Domaine des Collettes, and from the autumn of 1908 he lived there with his family until his death. Now the Renoir Museum presents his paintings and sculptures, as well as a workshop, furniture, easel and other personal belongings of the artist.

On October 7, six people were detained in the case of theft of paintings. Two of them are suspected of breaking into the museum and stealing paintings.