Million-euro banana artwork stolen from French museum
A banana forming part of Maurizio Cattelan’s famous artwork Comedian has been stolen from a museum in eastern France.
A banana that forms part of one of the world's most famous contemporary artworks has been stolen from the Centre Pompidou-Metz in eastern France.
Listen to this article
The missing fruit was part of Comedian, the controversial work by Italian artist Maurizio Cattelan, which consists of a banana attached to a wall with duct tape.
Museum officials said the banana disappeared on Saturday afternoon while on display as part of an exhibition dedicated to the artist's work.
A criminal complaint has been filed and an investigation is under way.
Despite the theft, the museum stressed that the artwork's value lies not in the fruit itself but in its certificate of authenticity and the instructions governing its display.
The banana is considered a replaceable element of the piece.
Since its debut in 2019, Comedian has sparked global debate about the nature and value of contemporary art.
The work has made headlines several times after the banana was eaten by visitors and performance artists, only to be replaced.
The artwork was sold at auction in 2024 for several million dollars, further cementing its status as one of the most talked-about pieces of modern art.