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Bold museum heist in broad daylight: Kuindzhi painting disappears from Moscow’s Tretyakov gallery Museum heist in broad daylight: Kuindzhi painting VANISHES from Moscow’s Tretyakov gallery (PHOTO)
(35 minutes later)
A rare painting by famous Russian artist Arkhip Kuindzhi went missing from a wall in Moscow’s Tretyakov gallery as dozens of visitors were enjoying the exhibit.A rare painting by famous Russian artist Arkhip Kuindzhi went missing from a wall in Moscow’s Tretyakov gallery as dozens of visitors were enjoying the exhibit.
The Russian Ministry of Culture confirmed that the painting titled ‘Ai-Petri. Crimea’ is missing and the search is underway. The audacity with which the the painting titled ‘Ai-Petri. Crimea’ was stolen may make 'Thomas Crown' pale in  comparison. 
Witnesses who were in the Tretyakov gallery during the exhibition of Kuindzhi’s works  told local media that at some point they just noticed an empty spot, hooks and a title plate, where the painting used to hang. A man, described by witnesses as tall, blond and in his late twenties, approached the picture, took it from the wall and left. At first people thought he was one of the museum workers, and only after a few moments they realized that the painting were stolen. An empty spot, hooks and a title plate were all that's left. 
Kuindzhi is a “very expensive” artist as his works seldon appear on the market or in private collections, fine art expert, Sergey Podstanitsky, told Govorit Moskva radio.A few years back, a collector cashed out $1 million for Kuindzhi’s paining of the same size as the stolen one, he said.
A telegram channel ‘Museum Snob’ reported that a man dressed as a museum worker came up to the artwork and took it while everyone was watching.
Police have not released any statements so far, but people leaving the museum were seen being searched.Police have not released any statements so far, but people leaving the museum were seen being searched.
The 19th century painter Kuindzhi devoted his life to landscapes and was praised for depicting light and its effects.The 19th century painter Kuindzhi devoted his life to landscapes and was praised for depicting light and its effects.
Treyakov gallery, one of the main museums in Moscow featuring Russian art, has been hosting the Kuindzhi show since October with paintings brought in from around the world. Treyakov gallery, one of the main museums in Moscow featuring Russian art, has been hosting the Kuindzhi show since October with paintings brought in from around the world. The museum said the painting was ensured for a sum of 12 million rubles (around $182,000).
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