Banana artwork Comedian stolen from Pompidou-Metz museum

A banana taped to a wall, a conceptual artwork by Italian artist Maurizio Cattelan valued at millions of dollars, was stolen from the Centre Pompidou-Metz museum in eastern France. The museum reported the theft to authorities on Sunday after a security guard noticed the fruit missing from the wall the previous afternoon.

The work, titled "Comedian," consists of a banana affixed to a wall with duct tape. According to the museum, the perishable fruit is replaced approximately every three days as part of the artwork's maintenance protocol. Following the theft, staff promptly restored the piece with a fresh banana and tape. Officials stated that no irreversible damage was done to the artwork, as its value lies not in the fruit itself but in its certificate of authenticity and a precise set of instructions for its presentation.

This marks the second such incident at the museum involving this artwork. In July of last year, a visitor removed and ate the banana on display. The museum did not pursue legal action at that time. On this occasion, however, the institution has filed a criminal complaint for theft against persons unknown. In a statement, the museum said it condemned the act,...