Moscow police are looking for unknown who stole from the Tretyakov gallery painting “AI-Petri. Crimea” painted by Russian painter Arkhip Kuindzhi. The circumstances of the incident are to be installed, but it is already known that the attackers did not hide their faces. They came to the Tretyakov gallery for the exhibition of the artist, directly into the eyes of the visitors took a picture, took it from its frame and carried from the hall. Presumably, the crime was committed by two people. The Ministry of culture of Russia makes the extra fabric in the register of stolen and missing objects from the Museum collection to prevent possible export abroad. A particularly cynical work stealing Kuindzhi looks due to the fact that on 27 January marks 177 years from the birth of the great landscape painter.

  • © kuinje.ru / RT

The Moscow police searches for the criminals who on the evening of January 27, stole one of the paintings of the Russian painter Arkhip Kuindzhi from the Tretyakov gallery. Unknown made the work of “AI-Petri. Crimea” exhibition, which takes place in the Engineering building of the Tretyakov gallery.

“The police asked the staff of one of the museums in the capital stating that, in implementing the surveillance of exposure they saw that unknown persons had removed from the wall of one of the halls the picture and fled the scene. Officers found that stolen work of Arkhip Kuindzhi “AI-Petri. The Crimea”, — told Interfax, the official representative of the Ministry Irina Wolf.

She noted that the abduction is checked, which will install all the circumstances of the incident. In addition, measures for search and detention of the kidnappers of the picture.

The first information about the incident began to arrive around 19:00. The author of one of the Telegram channels reported that in front of more attendees, an unknown man removed a picture from the wall Kuindzhi made it over the column was removed from the frame and disappeared from the exhibition hall. After some time on the scene appeared the caretaker of the hall and a security officer, after which the exit of the Museum Lavrushinsky lane was limited, all those wishing to leave the building was being searched.

The source TASS in law enforcement bodies said that the crime could carry two people. Moreover, according to the source, neither visitors nor employees of the Museum took no notice of the intruders any attention.

“In the theft of paintings involved two people. They took it off the wall. It is not excluded that had help… Now in place continue to work with the police. But with high probability the painting was carried outside of the Museum. The canvas is small. Its dimensions of 39 by 53 cm”, — said the source.

Later, the source TASS reported that the police is still studying footage from CCTV cameras in the most Tretyakov gallery and on the buildings in the Museum district, but it is already known that the attackers did not hide their faces.

“According to records from surveillance cameras, they quietly moved through the Museum. When the movie was shot, their actions have also been peaceful, individuals could not hide. One of them then walked past the guard, attention is not attracted. He probably took it,” explained the source.

“We must improve protection”

The Ministry of culture of Russia urgently makes the painting Arkhip Kuindzhi “AI-Petri. Crimea” in the register of stolen works of art to prevent its export abroad. About it on air of TV channel “Russia 24” said the Director of the museums Department Ministry of culture Vladislav Kononov.

“We urgently make this work in the register of stolen and missing objects from the Museum collection. This is done in order to exclude the possible removal of this work abroad,” — said Kononov.

According to the press service of the Ministry of culture, the stolen work is insured for 12 million rubles. However, the Director of the Russian Museum, which usually houses a painting by Vladimir Gusev has told “to Interfax” that its market value much higher amount of insurance. He added that if the canvas is not found, then Russian Museum will receive the payments, “but this”.

The press service of the Tretyakov gallery said that at the time of the theft protection of the Museum (as members of Regardie and security service of the Tretyakov gallery) worked in a regular mode. About the incident were immediately informed of the Ministry of culture and Directorate of the Russian Museum.

“Temporarily, the entrance to the hall was restricted. Tretyakov gallery apologizes
visitors for the inconvenience. Security measures were strengthened at the exhibition Arkhip Kuindzhi and at all sites of the Tretyakov gallery. Tomorrow the exhibition will run according to schedule”, — noted in the Tretyakov gallery.

Kuindzhi exhibition is held in the Engineering building of the art gallery from October 2018, and will last till 17 Feb 2019.

It is particularly cynical kidnapping of one of the works of the Crimean cycle, the artist looks at the fact that on 27 January marks 177 years from the birth of the great Russian landscape painter.

According to the Vice-President of the Russian Academy of arts Andrei Zolotov, kidnapping paintings Kuindzhi, unfortunately, not an isolated case of the disappearance of the museums of art. The system of protection for cultural objects needs to be improved, however, by the decision of this question should be approached carefully, he said.

“Arkhip Kuindzhi — a great artist. It’s a sad story. I Express my regret. I’m not sure that every picture bolted Postings or alarm, but there is security, especially in a Museum like the Tretyakov gallery. Unfortunately, anyone can be fooled. So, it is necessary to improve security, but it is very difficult. Tomorrow we will put a fence in front of every painting so as not to come? This is also wrong,” said Zolotov, RIA Novosti.