Seven expensive paintings stolen from The Kunsthal museum

The seven masterpieces, which include paintings by Picasso, were stolen in a well thought-out robbery...

Unidentified thieves are believed to have broken in at The Kunsthal museum at about 3am on Tuesday and stolen seven paintings worth millions of pounds. 

The stolen paintings are Pablo Picasso’s 'Harlequin's Head', Henri Matisse’s 'La Liseuse en Blanc et Jaune' and two paintings of London scenes by the impressionist master Claude Monet, 'Waterloo Bridge, London' and 'Charing Cross Bridge, London'. 

The others were Paul Gauguin’s 'Femme Devant une Fenetre Ouverte, dite La Fiancee', Meyer de Haan’s 'Self-portrait' and Lucian Freud’s 'Woman with Eyes Closed'. 

The police who responded after the alarm was set off but failed to apprehend thieves say that a major investigation is now underway. They are now investigating as to how the thieves got access and the actual time the robbery took place. 

In a statement the police said: “On Tuesday morning seven artworks were stolen from the Kunsthal in Rotterdam. 

"In consultation with the owners the police can now release their photos. 

“Police are interviewing possible witnesses and examining closed-circuit video footage. 

"An initial investigation suggests that the robbery was well prepared."