Art Thief: A True Story of Love, Crime, and a Dangerous Obsession

In The Art Thief, Michael Finkel tells the astonishing true story of Stéphane Breitwieser, a man who stole more than 300 pieces of art from museums across Europe over nearly a decade. He was not driven by money or revenge but by an obsessive need to surround himself with beauty. With the help of his girlfriend, who acted as lookout, Breitwieser executed daring heists in broad daylight, evading capture while amassing a secret trove of masterpieces hidden in his childhood bedroom. Finkel follows the trail of thefts with journalistic precision and narrative flair, exploring how one man’s passion for art spiraled into compulsion. Drawing from extensive interviews and research, the book delves into the psychology of obsession, the fragility of trust, and the strange intimacy of crime committed in the name of love. Part gripping crime story, part psychological exploration, The Art Thief is a mesmerizing account of how beauty can inspire, consume, and ultimately destroy. It is a reminder that