Dutch Town Hall Accidentally Disposes of Valuable Warhol Artworks

The Maashorst municipality in the Netherlands has acknowledged that it "most likely" disposed of 46 artworks, including a valuable Andy Warhol print of former queen Beatrix, amid renovation efforts. Investigations reveal a lack of proper care and guidelines for the artworks during storage, leading to their accidental disposal. The incident raises concerns about the preservation and handling of culturally significant pieces.

A Dutch town hall has admitted that it "most likely" accidentally disposed of 46 artworks, including an Andy Warhol print of the former Dutch queen, during renovation work last year. The Maashorst municipality stated that the artworks, including a 1980s silkscreen print of Queen Beatrix valued at approximately €15,000 (£12,800), disappeared during the renovation of a town hall in Uden, which is being merged with the neighboring municipality to create Maashorst.

An investigation revealed that the artworks were placed in storage in a basement during the renovations, and the absence of proper guidelines for their care could have led to their unintended disposal. Mayor Hans van der Pas expressed regret over the situation, stating, "That's not how you treat valuables. But it happened."

A municipality statement released on Thursday confirmed that it is "most likely" the artworks were thrown away with the trash. Local reports shared that investigators found some items stored inadequately in wheelie bins, emphasizing that they were "not handled with care." The investigation report criticized the municipality for failing to establish ownership, policies, and procedures during the renovation and not taking appropriate measures when the artworks went missing.

The 46 lost artworks are collectively valued at around €22,000 (£18,800), and the likelihood of recovery is minimal, according to the municipality. The print of Queen Beatrix was part of Warhol's 1985 series "Reigning Queens," which includes prints of other royal figures such as the late Queen Elizabeth II and Queen Margrethe II of Denmark.

Warhol, regarded as one of the most influential artists of the 20th century, produced these prints shortly before his death. Interestingly, in November of the previous year, two Warhol prints of Queen Beatrix and Queen Ntombi Twala were stolen from a Dutch art gallery, but they were later abandoned by thieves due to space constraints in their getaway vehicle, as reported by local police.