Two men have been arrested in Limassol, Cyprus, in connection with the theft of a 19th-century Edgar Degas painting worth €6 million ($7.6 Million), reports the Cyprus Mail. The piece, Ballerina Adjusting Her Slipper (1870), measures 24 by 18.5 inches and is one of the artist’s studies of young dancers adjusting their shoes.
The victim is a 70-year-old man from Limassol. The theft occurred Monday between 9:50 a.m. and 2:30 p.m. during a meeting with the lawyers of a 55-year-old Russian man that took place under the auspices of finalizing the sale of another piece in the collector’s holdings. The Russian had visited 15 days prior and photographed the Degas canvas, which was not for sale, during a viewing.
Not content to make due with the Degas, believed to be one of the most expensive paintings ever stolen in Cyprus, where art theft is rare, the thieves also pilfered a safe containing seven gold watches and three gold opera glasses, among other objects, valued at €157,000 euros ($200,000). Unfortunately, the Degas was not insured.
Two Cypriots, aged 44 and 53, have already been arrested in connection with the heist. The Russian man is still at large, as well as a fourth suspect from South Africa.