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Dalí Bronze Cover Stolen from Private French Art Center
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Theft of the Salvador Dalí Bronze Cover
In early October, three thieves broke into the C. Karoutzos Contemporary Art Center in the Puy-de-Dôme department of central France. They disabled the surveillance system, removed a 150-kilogram (331-pound) bronze cover created by Salvador Dalí, and left behind broken glass, a damaged gate, and the base of the sculpture near a staircase. The remainder of the unique artist’s book, “The Apocalypse of Saint John,” including its parchment pages, remained secured in a vault and was not taken.
Background of the Artwork
The bronze cover was commissioned as part of an ambitious literary-art project launched in 1958 by French publisher Joseph Forêt. Seven visual artists—including Dalí, Bernard Buffet, Léonard Foujita, Leonor Fini, Georges Mathieu, Pierre-Yves Trémois, and Ossip Zadkine—and seven writers—Jean Cocteau, Jean Giono, Emil Cioran, Ernst Jünger, and Jean Rostand—collaborated to create a modern interpretation of the biblical Book of Revelation. Dalí fashioned the bronze casing between 1958 and 1961 using the lost-wax casting process; the piece incorporates gold, precious stones, shells, nails, and gold cutlery. The complete work, weighing about 210 kilograms (463 pounds), was first shown at the Museum of Modern Art of Paris in 1961, later exhibited internationally, and was acquired by collector Christian Karoutzos in 2003. The cover has been on permanent display at Karoutzos’s private museum in Issoire.
Investigation and Official Responses
The Clermont-Ferrand prosecutor’s office described the missing cover as an “exceptional and unique” cultural object and launched a criminal investigation. The gendarmerie’s research unit is leading the inquiry, though authorities have not identified suspects or explained how the heavy bronze piece was extracted. Nathanaël Molay, who has worked with Karoutzos for two decades, called the loss “monumental” and said Karoutzos is “devastated.” Karoutzos expressed fear that the bronze and other valuable materials could be melted down for their material value, which would destroy the artwork’s artistic integrity.
Scale and Value of the Missing Piece
The bronze cover alone weighs roughly 150 kilograms (331 pounds) and incorporates numerous precious materials. French media estimate its market value at several million euros. The book’s parchment consists of about 150 sheets, each handwritten with roughly 93,000–95,000 letters, extending to a total length of approximately 150 meters (492 feet) when laid end-to-end.
Implications for Cultural-Property Security
The theft follows a recent spate of high-profile European art robberies, including the 2025 Louvre crown-jewel heist and the 2026 Villena Treasure raid in Spain. Security experts note that the loss of surveillance recordings may hinder the investigation, but the distinctive design of Dalí’s cover could aid in its recovery if it reappears on the market. The incident has heightened concerns about the protection of valuable cultural objects in private collections across France.
