Overview

• The Dutch municipality of Maashorst has confirmed the inadvertent disposal of nearly 50 public artworks, including an Andy Warhol screen print of former Queen Beatrix.
• The total value of the lost collection is estimated at €22,000, with the Warhol print alone valued at approximately €15,000.
• The artworks were improperly stored in a town hall basement during renovations, where they were damaged by moisture and dust before being discarded.
• The discovery of the missing pieces in late 2024 triggered a police investigation, which has now concluded that the artworks are presumed lost with no recovery prospects.
• Mayor Hans van der Pas has publicly expressed regret over the mismanagement, highlighting the need for stricter cultural preservation protocols in local governance.