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Museum heist in broad daylight: Kuindzhi painting VANISHES from Moscow’s Tretyakov gallery (PHOTO) 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 audacity with which the the painting titled ‘Ai-Petri. Crimea’ was stolen may make 'Thomas Crown' pale in  comparison. The audacity with which the the painting titled ‘Ai-Petri. Crimea’ was stolen may make 'Thomas Crown' pale in  comparison. 
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.  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 was 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. Meanwhile, sources told Tass that there were two people, who might have had other accomplices, involved in the daring theft.
Police have not released any statements so far, but people leaving the museum were seen being searched. 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.
Visitors leaving the museum were asked to open their bag and were searched, but the painting, which is a rather small size of 39 x 52 centimeters, was nowhere to be seen.
Police say there's CCTV footage of Kuindzhi’s work being removed from the wall, but it has not yet been released.
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. The museum said the painting was ensured for a sum of 12 million rubles (around $182,000).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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