Disappearance of a "Dali" Cover... New Theft Puzzles French Museums
Disappearance of a bronze book cover from the Eswar Center
Translated by Qiyas from الراي — Original source
“Al Arabiya.net” – The disappearance of a 150-kilogram bronze cover from a contemporary art center in France has baffled investigators, who remain unable to explain how the thieves managed to remove the massive piece from the building without leaving clear traces.
Beyond the sheer size and artistic value of the item, the incident represents more than the loss of a precious collectible; it constitutes the removal of a unique book co-created by a select group of 20th-century artists.
The theft occurred overnight between October 4 and 5 at the C. Caratzas Contemporary Art Center in Issoudun. The thieves targeted the cover, which was adorned with gold, gemstones, and shells, while the book’s pages remained stored separately from the cover and thus were not stolen.
However, the question puzzling investigators is how such a large and heavy object was transported from the center without attracting attention.
The center’s owner, Christian Caratzas, added to the mystery of the incident, stating that “the thieves disconnected the surveillance cameras and alarm systems,” and describing the event as a “cultural disaster.” Meanwhile, Issoudun’s mayor, Bertrand Barro, said the item’s value is incalculable.
The story of the work dates back to 1958, when French art publisher Joseph Foret proposed a project inspired by the Book of Revelation, combining literature and art in an exceptional volume featuring contributions from artists and writers, including Jean Cocteau, Bernard Buffet, and Jean Giono.
Salvador Dalí designed the bronze cover, which was executed between 1958 and 1961, turning the cover itself into a standalone work of art.
The complete book weighed 210 kilograms, earning it a place among the heaviest books in the world, as well as its value as a convergence of works by prominent artists within a single project.
The cover itself was a sculptural work in its own right, with Dalí combining bronze and precious ornaments in its composition, giving the volume a presence that transcended the conventional form of books.
From exhibition halls, the volume began a long journey, having been displayed in approximately 150 exhibitions worldwide between 1961 and 1972, before disappearing from public view for a period. It was later stored in Switzerland and then passed to Japanese owners. When these owners decided to sell it in parts, Caratzas purchased it in 2003, preserving the integrity of the work whose cover now lies in the hands of the thieves.
