Introduction

#1 NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER • One of the most remarkable true-crime narratives of the twenty-first century • “The Art Thief, like its title character, has confidence, élan, and a great sense of timing."—The New Yorker

A BEST BOOK OF THE YEAR: The Washington Post, The New Yorker, Lit Hub

"Enthralling." —The Wall Street Journal

Stéphane Bréitwieser is the most prolific art thief of all time.

He pulled off more than 200 heists, often in crowded museums in broad daylight.

His girlfriend served as his accomplice.

His collection was worth an estimated $2 billion.

He never sold a piece, displaying his stolen art in his attic bedroom.

He felt like a king.

Until everything came to a shocking end.

In this spellbinding portrait of obsession and flawed genius, Michael Finkel gives us one of the most remarkable true-crime narratives of our times, a riveting story of art, theft, love, and an insatiable hunger to possess beauty at any cost.

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Discussion Questions

1. Discuss Breitwieser's views on museums as "prisons for art." What do you see as the purpose and role of museums?

2. Breitwieser also says, “The story of art is a story of stealing.” What did he mean by that and to what extent do you agree? How does Breitwieser’s story fit into the history of stolen and looted art over centuries?

3. Breitwieser stole over $2 billion worth of art but did not try to sell or profit from it. What does this say about his motivations?

4. Why do you think Breitwieser was so obsessed with art? What drove his compulsion to steal it?

5. Are you a big art fan? To what degree can you empathize with Breitweiser’s passion for and visceral reaction to art?  Or is there anything else that you feel as passionately about?

6. Why do you think Breitweiser was seemingly unable to stop stealing art, despite multiple close calls? What parallels do you see between Breitwieser’s obsession with art and typical characteristics of addiction?

7. What did you think of Breitwieser's relationship with Anne-Catherine? Was she a victim or willing accomplice?

8. How did Breitwieser's childhood and relationship with his mother shape his personality and later actions?

9. Do you think it’s credible that Breitwieser’s mother never suspected what he was doing? 

10. Why do you think Breitwieser’s mother, Mireille Stengel, ultimately reacted by destroying pieces of the collection in such an extreme way? Do you think she deserves some blame for enabling her son’s crimes?

11. Why was Breitweiser so successful in his career as an art thief? What differentiated him from other thieves?

12. How does Breitwieser’s story illustrate the conflict museums face between accessibility and security?

13. Discuss your reactions to Breitwieser. Did you sympathize with him at any point? Why or why not?

14. What do you think happened to the over 80 pieces of stolen art that are still missing?

15. Why do you think we are so fascinated by stories of art theft and heists in general?

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