When a “Picasso” Fiasco Turns into a Shtick
Last week’s drama had everyone murmuring: a Dutch-born novelist, Mira Feticu, claiming she’d unearthed a stolen Picasso, only to realize she fell right into a staged performance by two Belgian filmmakers. Let’s break down the whirlwind.
The Heist that Made Headlines
- 2012 – The Kunsthal Museum in Rotterdam is robbed in what locals dubbed “the theft of the century.”
- Seven masterpieces vanish, with “Harlequin Head” (a Picasso gem) among the loot.
- Since then, no trace of the paintings surfaces.
The Mystery Letter Made Its Debut
About ten days ago, a mysterious Romanian letter arrives at Feticu’s doorstep. It contains:
- A Romanian language roadmap.
- Instructions pointing to a Romanian forest.
- Hints that a canvas lies buried in the woods.
Acting on faith, Feticu digs up a stretcher‑flat of pigment, which Romanian officials suspect might be the long‑lost Picasso. The canvas is, in theory, worth a cool 800,000 euros (roughly $1.25 million).
Plot Twist: A Belgian “Bizarre” Production
On Sunday night, NATO‑style fireworks (no real fireworks, just buzz) hit Feticu’s inbox. Two Belgian directors—operating under the alias “True Copy” and chroniclers of the legendary Dutch forger Geert Jan Jansen—reveal the whole thing was a theatrical stunt.
- They claimed the letter was a “silent rehearsal” aimed at orchestrating a dramatic unveiling of the missing Picasso.
- They urged Feticu to sit back and watch this art‑theft saga play out on a staged set.
- The directors’ production company is currently “abstaining from public commentary” until they can speak directly with Feticu.
What Happens Next?
The theatrical troupe promises a full scoop in “the coming days,” suggesting a storyline somewhere between a detective novel and a slap‑stick comedy. Stay tuned for brimming intrigue and, perhaps, some unexpected witty twists.
