A banana integral to a multimillion-dollar artwork by Italian artist Maurizio Cattelan has been reported stolen from the Pompidou-Metz museum in eastern France. The museum lodged criminal complaint on Sunday after a guard discovered the fruit missing on Saturday . This banana, part of Cattelan's provocative piece titled “Comedian,” was taped to a wall and is replaced every three days to maintain its contemporary appeal.
The theft follows bizarre incident last July when a museum visitor consumed the banana, prompting guards to swiftly replace it . The artwork gained notoriety after Justin Sun, a Chinese-born cryptocurrency entrepreneur,purchased an iteration for $6.2 million in 2024. Shortly after acquisition,Sun made headlines by eating the banana on camera in Hong Kong.
The Pompidou-Metz, a branch of the renowned Pompidou Centre in Paris, has not identified any suspects in the theft. The incident raises questions about security measures surrounding such unconventional art pieces,especially those involving perishable elements. The museum's statement confirmed ongoing investigation into the theft,emphasizing its commitment to preserving the integrity of contemporary art.
