Two sculptures stolen from galleries in Barcelona recovered

The first theft took place at Villa del Arte, on Passeig de Gràcia. According to the investigation, one of the suspects allegedly distracted an employee while the other took a sculpture by Coderch & Malavia, valued at more than 10,500 euros.

The following day, the same thieves allegedly repeated the strategy at Galería Mayoral, on Consell de Cent street. This time, the stolen piece was Lurra G20, by Eduardo Chillida, worth more than 225,000 euros.

The police response was swift. After images and descriptions of the suspects were circulated, a Guardia Urbana del Eixample patrol located two men matching the profile shortly after the second theft. They were intercepted at around 11:00 at Diagonal and Roger de Flor.

The detainees, aged 28 and 25, allegedly tried to hide the works at different locations. One of the sculptures was hidden in a garden and the other in the hotel room where they were staying, according to the information gathered during the investigation.

During questioning, one of those arrested indicated where the pieces were, allowing them to be recovered and returned to their galleries. CCTV recordings helped confirm the involvement of both suspects, who face theft charges.

The case has raised alarm in a sector accustomed to living alongside works of great value in spaces open to the public. In areas such as the Eixample or Passeig de Gràcia, galleries also function as the city’s cultural showcase, with visitors, collectors and curious people coming in every day.

The recovery prevents a significant loss, but it leaves a warning for Barcelona’s art map: the visibility that makes many galleries attractive also exposes them. Protecting the works without turning these spaces into closed-off places will be one of the challenges in keeping the cultural scene in the centre alive and accessible.