The Art Thief
by Michael Finkel · first published 2023
80% recommend20% neutral
The story of a French couple who stole $2 billion in art from seven countries over eight years to stock their private museum.
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Not a single instance of theft but Stéphane Breitwieser is probably the most prolific art thief. I read Michael Finkel's 2023 book on the thefts and it was a riveting read.
on “What was the biggest art theft in history?” ↗…it's a really powerful reminder of how vital accurate and compassionate representation is. Made me realize how much things have changed for the better, really made me appreciate being alive today. The Art Thief by Michael Finkel, really romantic crime non fiction about a prolific art thief, his girfriend, his family, extremely cinematic, would be shocked if it's not made into a movie very soon Paris by Paris…
on “Ask HN: Books you read in 2023 and recommend for 2024” ↗…Knight's survival in harsh conditions, his resourcefulness, and the mysteries surrounding his isolated existence. It's a thought-provoking exploration of solitude, community, and the human spirit. 5."The Art Thief: A True Story of Love, Crime, and a Dangerous Obsession" by Michael Finkel Unearth the astonishing true-crime account of Stéphane Breitwieser, one of the world's most prolific art thieves. Finkel delves…
on “Ask HN: Best books you read in 2023” ↗If you like his book "The Art Thief", I would also recommend "The Art Forger" as well. In the Art Forger, they reference famous forgers and their actual methods. The book goes into pretty deep detail about certain methods that forgers use.…
on “Fake Painting: The Art of Forgery” ↗> All this is recounted, thrillingly, in “The Art Thief” (Knopf), by the journalist Michael Finkel. It is his third book, and also the third one to search for meaning—moral, aesthetic, existential—in criminal acts. This is an interest he comes by honestly,…
on “How A Frenchman Stole Two Billion Dollars’ Worth of Art” ↗