Particularly cruel crime: the Dutchman received four years in prison for trying to steal a Monet

On May 3, a Dutch court sentenced a man to four years in prison after a failed attempt to steal a Monet painting last year, ArtNews reports.

The painting in question was kept in the Kazan Museum in the Dutch city of Zaandam, which in 2015 bought it for 1.16 million euros. The painting titled "De Voorzaan en de Westerhem" (1871) refers to the early period of Monet's work.

According to the North Holland court that sentenced the man, the man entered the Zaanse museum, took the painting off the wall and tried to leave with it under his arm. Another man was allegedly waiting for him near the museum. Both were armed, the court said.

Although the seascape De Voorzaan en de Westerhem is neither particularly famous nor very expensive for Monet, the court called it "a unique and, therefore, irreplaceable canvas by a world-famous artist." The court stated that the painting still cannot be exhibited "for security reasons" even after restoration.

It is believed that during the unsuccessful robbery, during which at least one shot was fired, there was a commotion, although no one was injured. In the confusion, the man who took the painting allegedly dropped the canvas while trying to leave on a motorcycle.

The court called the failed robbery "particularly cruel" because it happened in broad daylight.

"Since the theft was committed on Sunday during the summer holidays, there were many employees and visitors at the museum at that time. The theft, which also includes explosions, made a great impression and frightened the employees and visitors present, including children," the court decision says.