Two pieces of artwork by the renowned American artist Andy Warhol have been stolen during a burglary at a gallery in the Netherlands. The incident occurred at the MPV Gallery located in North Brabant. Initially, the thieves managed to take four silkscreens from Warhol’s Reigning Queens series but left two behind nearby, as reported by the gallery owner to Dutch news outlet NOS.

The stolen pieces feature portraits of the late Queen Elizabeth II and Margrethe II, who recently abdicated as Queen of Denmark. Local authorities are currently investigating the scene, noting evidence of an explosion that caused significant damage to both the gallery and adjacent buildings. Eyewitness accounts suggest that the culprits escaped in a vehicle.

According to NOS, the two abandoned prints in the series, which portray Queen Beatrix of the Netherlands and Queen Ntombi Tfwala of Eswatini (formerly known as Swaziland), were left behind because they were unable to fit inside the getaway car. The four artworks were being stored at the gallery in preparation for their display at the upcoming PAN Amsterdam art fair later this month, where they were expected to be sold as a collection.

These artworks are part of a series consisting of 16 silkscreens featuring four queens that Warhol created in 1985, just two years before his passing. The auction house noted that this collection of art and ceramics has been curated with care over a span of 40 years.

In addition to this news, artist Adam Brown has been creating caricatures for a telephone box art gallery in Ryde. Meanwhile, a hospice is showcasing its inaugural exhibit featuring artwork made by its patients.