A hilarious collection of the most original and fascinating art heists in recent years across Latin America. A book full of unusual and emblematic stories that amaze—because nothing is stranger than real life. Perfect as the foundation for a documentary, docuseries, or even fictional adaptations.
We often hear stories about art heists in Europe and the United States, such as the famous case of the Gioconda thieves and their adventures. However, Latin America has its own set of cases that, while lesser known, are equally fascinating.
In her book Traidores del arte, Cuban Argentine journalist and writer Claribel Terré Morell compiles 18 of the most remarkable and surprising heists in recent history. For instance, one case in Argentina involves thieves who burned fifteenth-century incunabula after mistaking them for gold bars. Another story recounts the sale of Mona Lisa replicas to collectors across Latin America, while multiple crimes are linked to the image of the Virgin of Guadalupe.
One particularly curious case occurred in 1921 when a fake parishioner attempted to destroy the original image of the Virgin at Mexico’s Basilica of Guadalupe using dynamite hidden in a bouquet of flowers—a plot from which the artwork miraculously emerged unscathed.
The book doesn’t only cover emblematic cases with historical and artistic relevance but also explores more unusual events. Among the most eccentric tales is the story of Jusep Torres Campalans, a supposed Catalan painter believed to have co-founded Cubism with Picasso. Campalans reportedly lived in Chiapas, Mexico, where he befriended writer Max Aub. Years later, Aub revealed that the entire story—including the character—was a fabrication designed to question the boundaries between reality and fiction in art.
Other peculiar stories include religious relics being turned into furniture or decorations, the notorious thief Erik the Belgian, who left bottles of champagne as his signature after heists, and the bizarre auction of what were claimed to be Napoleon’s genitals—objects that have passed from one collector to another.
RELEVANT INFORMATION: Traidores del arte is a unique book that compiles some of the most unknown and enigmatic art heist cases with Latin American DNA. Several chapters include interviews with people involved in the cases, sometimes even the thieves themselves. The book has been well-received by readers.
Claribel Terré Morell is a renowned art consultant and writer. She continues the legacy of her grandfather, who collected newspaper clippings about these thefts, captivated—just as his granddaughter now is—by this cast of rare characters.
What Critics Say:
“A delicious menu of stories about art world crimes.” – La Nación
“A book for lovers of art mysteries and the mystery of art.” – Wetoker Podcast
“Various voices of protagonists expose the intricate web of relationships that influence the art market.” – Perito de Arte
AUDIOVISUAL POTENTIAL: TV Series, Miniseries, Film, TV Movie.
AVAILABLE LANGUAGES: Spanish.
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