1835—1918
Molen te Latem bij maanlicht, 1900
oil paint
455 x 615 mm
Location: on long-term loan to the Municipal Museum Gevaert-Minne
Collection Museum Dhondt-Dhaenens
Stolen painting by Albijn Van den Abeele
In mid-June 1981, MDD was faced with a mystery when the painting Molen te Latem bij Maanlicht by Albijn Van den Abeele suddenly disappeared from the exhibition space. It was unclear exactly when the work had been stolen, so the museum management appealed to anyone who had recently visited the museum. They promised a substantial reward in exchange for information about the stolen canvas.
Almost a year later, on 26 May 1982, the painting resurfaced. The art thief had discreetly returned the work at the entrance of the museum, wrapped in a garbage bag. The then curator, Frank Vincke, made the surprising discovery. There was still no trace of the perpetrator himself. A few weeks later he was arrested in Charleroi. In addition to Molen te Latem bij Maanlicht, he was responsible for about fifteen other art thefts, including from the nearby Gust De Smet Museum.
In mid-June 1981, MDD was faced with a mystery when the painting Molen te Latem bij Maanlicht by Albijn Van den Abeele suddenly disappeared from the exhibition space. It was unclear exactly when the work had been stolen, so the museum management appealed to anyone who had recently visited the museum. They promised a substantial reward in exchange for information about the stolen canvas.
Almost a year later, on 26 May 1982, the painting resurfaced. The art thief had discreetly returned the work at the entrance of the museum, wrapped in a garbage bag. The then curator, Frank Vincke, made the surprising discovery. There was still no trace of the perpetrator himself. A few weeks later he was arrested in Charleroi. In addition to Molen te Latem bij Maanlicht, he was responsible for about fifteen other art thefts, including from the nearby Gust De Smet Museum.
Fortunately, the story ended well for Van den Abeele’s painting. Today, the work hangs safely on loan at the Gevaert-Minne Museum.
- This work is part of the museum’s main collection. It was included in the inventory of the donation from Jules and Irma Dhondt-Dhaenens that was compiled at the board meeting on 03.06.1967.
Foto: Cedric Verhelst, www.artinflanders.be.
