Andy Warhol's art prints of "Campbell's Soup Cans" were reported to have been missing from the Springfield Art Museum. Investigators from Springfield Police Department said that the incident was a case of burglary.
According to ABC News, the heist may have happened between 5:30 p.m. of April 6 to 8:45 a.m. the next day, April 7. The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) has joined forces with the local police to solve the case involving the lost of major art masterpiece created by Warhol.
The iconic artworks that depict Campbell's soup cans were on public display at the said museum as part of the exhibit called "The Electric Garden of our Minds: British/American Pop." The prints were put on public view since Jan. 22 and it was supposed to run until April 17. The show features around 75 art pieces and the highlights were works of famous artists like Warhol, Eduardo Paolozzi and Richard Hamilton.
Lisa Cox, spokeswoman of the Springfield Police Department, said that the artworks were in place when the museum closed on Wednesday but a few pieces have gone missing when the building opened the following day. Now, due to the ongoing investigation, the section where the Warhol prints were stolen is now closed while the rest of the exhibit area remained open for viewing.
On April 8, via press release, Springfield Art Museum director Nick Nelson said, "The museum is working with the proper authorities and being proactive in our security efforts as we remain open to the public." He added that they are confident with the steps they are taking to keep the museum's treasures safe while still allowing the public to see them.
Nevertheless, the investigators have not yet determined the exact number of prints that were stolen by the burglars. The museum's curators are also not sure if any other artworks were taken as well.
The missing "Campbell's Soup Cans" prints were made by Warhol in 1968. Each of the print on canvas has been estimated to cost at least US$30,000. The Springfield Art Museum had the prints since 1985 when art collector Larry H. Greenburg donated it to the institution.
Watch the video to know the story behind Andy Warhol creation of Campbell's Soup Cans: