Thieves Steal $100,000 Chagall Lithograph from Manhattan Gallery

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Police are continuing their search for three suspects involved in a heist at a gallery in Midtown Manhattan. The incident occurred in the early hours of September 25, when the thieves targeted a Madison Avenue gallery. One of the suspects used a hammer to smash the glass front door and entered the premises. They quickly grabbed a $100,000 lithograph by Marc Chagall from an easel. The thieves then carried the artwork outside in the rain, where a waiting Honda Accord was used for their getaway.

Surveillance camera footage captured the suspects struggling to load the stolen artwork into the sedan, even setting it down on the wet pavement at one point. Fortunately, no injuries were reported during the break-in. The stolen lithograph, created in 1971, is the seventh edition of 50 prints made by Chagall. Titled “Eve in the Garden of Eden,” the artwork depicts a reclining nude Eve holding an apple under a tree, observed by angels overhead.

The gallery owner, Charles Saffati, considers Chagall to be one of the major masters of the 20th century. In response to the theft, the gallery has implemented additional security measures, including a new storefront with security glass, an upgraded alarm system, and 24-hour armed security guards.

Authorities are still searching for the three suspects caught on video. The stolen artwork remains missing, and efforts are underway to track down the culprits. The gallery owner expressed frustration over the incident, emphasizing the need for better protection in the area.

Marc Chagall, a renowned artist, incorporated religious symbols and themes into much of his work. His style defies a single label, combining influences from Surrealism and Expressionism. Chagall’s extensive body of work includes approximately 10,000 pieces, and he continued creating until his death in 1985 at the age of 97.