Thieves Steal El Greco Copy, Mistaking It for Original

Unknown individuals stole a copy of the painting La magdalena penitente by El Greco from the parish of San Eutropio in Paradas, Sevilla. The theft took place during the night, and investigators suspect that the thieves were attempting to steal the original painting.

The original work is located in the same church but is protected by a security system. Authorities believe the perpetrators may have confused the copy with the original due to their proximity. The incident is currently under investigation as a potential commissioned crime.

Unidentified individuals broke into the parish of San Eutropio in Paradas, located in the province of Sevilla, during the night. The target of the theft was a copy of the famous work La magdalena penitente by the renowned artist El Greco.

The painting was taken from the church premises, sparking an immediate police investigation. The timing of the theft, occurring at night, suggests a calculated effort to avoid detection. Local authorities are currently reviewing evidence to identify the suspects involved in this cultural crime.

Investigators have proposed a specific theory regarding the motive behind the robbery. It is believed that the thieves were actually targeting the original version of La magdalena penitente, which is also housed within the same church.

The original painting is secured with a specific security system, making it a difficult target. Consequently, the perpetrators likely mistook the unprotected copy for the valuable original. This theory is supported by the fact that both works were in close proximity, leading to the confusion during the nighttime heist.

Authorities are treating the incident as a crime potentially carried out on commission. This suggests that the theft was not random but rather ordered by a third party interested in acquiring a work by El Greco.

The investigation focuses on the following aspects:

• The specific targeting of the church in Paradas
• The confusion between the copy and the secured original
• Potential connections to a larger network of art theft

Law enforcement is analyzing the methods used to determine if they match known patterns of organized art crime.

The theft highlights the ongoing risks faced by cultural heritage sites in Spain. While the original masterpiece remains safe due to the installed security measures, the loss of the copy is still a significant event for the local community and art historians.

Incidents like this emphasize the need for robust security protocols in historical churches and museums. The fact that thieves were willing to break into a religious site underscores the high value placed on works by El Greco on the illicit market.