The Art Thief
A True Story of Love, Crime, and a Dangerous Obsession
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In this spellbinding portrait of obsession and flawed genius, the best-selling author of The Stranger in the Woods brings us into Breitwieser’s strange world—unlike most thieves, he never stole for money, keeping all his treasures in a single room where he could admire them.
For centuries, works of art have been stolen in countless ways from all over the world, but no one has been quite as successful at it as the master thief Stéphane Breitwieser. Carrying out more than two hundred heists over nearly eight years—in museums and cathedrals all over Europe—Breitwieser, along with his girlfriend who worked as his lookout, stole more than three hundred objects, until it all fell apart in spectacular fashion.
In The Art Thief, Michael Finkel brings us into Breitwieser’s strange and fascinating world. Unlike most thieves, Breitwieser never stole for money. Instead, he displayed all his treasures in a pair of secret rooms where he could admire them to his heart’s content. Possessed of a remarkable athleticism and an innate ability to circumvent practically any security system, Breitwieser managed to pull off a breathtaking number of audacious thefts. Yet these strange talents bred a growing disregard for risk and an addict’s need to score, leading Breitwieser to ignore his girlfriend’s pleas to stop—until one final act of hubris brought everything crashing down.
This is a riveting story of art, crime, love, and an insatiable hunger to possess beauty at any cost.
Cover images: (top) Bat by Albrecht Dürer. Bridgeman Images; (bottom) The Sleeping Shepherd (detail) by François Boucher © RMN-Grand Palais / Art Resource, NY
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Creators
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Publisher
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Awards
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Release date
June 27, 2023 -
Formats
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OverDrive Listen audiobook
- ISBN: 9780593741702
- File size: 163007 KB
- Duration: 05:39:35
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Languages
- English
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Reviews
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Starred review from May 15, 2023
In this masterful true crime account, Finkel (The Stranger in the Woods) traces the fascinating exploits of Stéphane Breitwieser, a French art thief who stole more than 200 artworks from across Europe between 1995 and 2001, turning his mother’s attic into a glittering trove of oil paintings, silver vessels, and antique weaponry. Mining extensive interviews with Breitwieser himself, and several with those who detected and prosecuted him, Finkel meticulously restages the crimes, describing the castles and museums that attracted Breitwieser and Anne-Catherine Kleinklaus, his accomplice and romantic partner; the luminous oils and sculptures that caught Breitwieser’s eye; and the swift, methodical actions he took to liberate his prizes. According to Breitwieser, his sole motive was aesthetic: to possess great beauty, to “gorge on it.” Drawing on art theory and Breitwieser’s psychology reports, Finkel speculates on his subject’s addiction to beauty and on Anne-Catherine’s acquiescence to the crimes. The account is at its best when it revels in the audacity of the escapades, including feats of misdirection in broad daylight, and the slow, inexorable pace of the law. It’s a riveting ride. -
Michael Finkel narrates the opening of this memorable portrait of St�phane Breitwieser, the sly European thief who pilfered nearly $2 billion in art objects--treasures he and his girlfriend hoarded in his mother's attic. Finkel's investigative role provides context and perspective, while narrator Edoardo Ballerini performs his customary magic, enhancing the narrative's strengths and minimizing its shortcomings. Breitwieser's story is dramatic, highly cinematic, but ultimately sad. The thief evolves into a compulsive loser, and the narrative slides toward a dead end. Here one appreciates Ballerini's skill and artistry, which sustain momentum over the sloughs. Here, too, one appreciates the author's return to acknowledge the many curators, investigators, and journalists who generously assisted him, leaving with the story's focus on recovery and restoration, rather than loss. D.A.W. Winner of AudioFile Earphones Award © AudioFile 2023, Portland, Maine -
June 10, 2024
Finkel's (The Stranger in the Woods) meticulous research and insightful storytelling transport listeners into the life and crimes of St�phane Breitwieser, a brazen art thief who was aided by his girlfriend, Anne-Catherine Kleinklaus. Breitwieser was driven by a mysterious connection to art, which incited an insatiable desire to have it for his own. He stole pieces from less-guarded museums, churches, cathedrals, castles, and historical sites. At the same time, Kleinklaus, who later denied any involvement, served as a lookout and assessed the danger before the job. Finkel interweaves observations about Breitwieser's complex character and relationships, with glimpses into the art world's underbelly, painting a vivid picture that is riveting yet unsettling. His extensive research includes stories of other notable art heists, including the theft of the Mona Lisa from the Louvre. Finkel provides an authoritative narration of the book's opening, but Edoardo Ballerini's narration is the true highlight of this audiobook. His commanding yet nuanced voice captures the essence of each character, providing an immersive listening experience. Ballerini's ability to convey the narrative's tension, emotion, and depth enhances the audio and adds an extra layer of intrigue. VERDICT Although it may be difficult for listeners to relate to Breitwieser, Ballerini's expert narration makes this a recommended purchase for all collections.--Christa Van Herreweghe
Copyright 2024 Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.
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