A Banksy artwork that pays tribute to victims of the 2015 terror attack at Paris’ Bataclan music hall has been stolen.
A source close to the investigation told LCI television [via AFP] that the incident involved “a group of hooded individuals armed with angle grinders” who reportedly drove away with the artwork in a truck.
The art, which depicts a female with a sorrowful expression, was spray-painted onto the outside of an emergency door at the venue in summer 2018.
It appeared two and a half years after 90 people were murdered by armed militants who broke into the building during an Eagles of Death Metal concert on November 13, 2015.
The Bataclan shared the news of the theft via Twitter, writing: “We are today filled with a deep sense of indignation.”
“Banksy’s work, a symbol of recollection and belonging to all: locals, Parisians, citizens of the world, has been taken from us.”
L’œuvre de @originaIbanksy hommage aux victimes du 13/11 a été volée. pic.twitter.com/FMHoobzRXm
— Bataclan (@bataclan_) January 26, 2019
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In other Banksy news, the anonymous artist’s work – ‘Seasons Greetings’ – was sold for a six-figure sum in the Welsh town of Port Talbot earlier in January.
The piece was bought by an Essex-based gallery owner who vowed to keep the graffiti in the town for a minimum of two to three years.
Elsewhere, a graffiti illustration of a rat that was spotted at a monorail station in Tokyo is thought to be another Banksy work.
あのバンクシーの作品かもしれないカワイイねずみの絵が都内にありました！ 東京への贈り物かも？ カバンを持っているようです。 pic.twitter.com/aPBVAq3GG3
— 小池百合子 (@ecoyuri) January 17, 2019
It it similar to one of his other paintings, ‘Umbrella rat’, which depicts a rodent parachuting with an umbrella.