A day after the astonishing art theft, Jan van de Loon of VDL Art is still very scared. But closing is not an option according to the Eindhoven gallery owner. “We hung our own paintings on the empty walls, we still had them.”
When Van de Loon entered his gallery on Wednesday morning, he got the fright of his life. “I turn on the light, look and think: Jesus everything is gone!” The night before, burglars appear to have stolen six works of art. And that in just four minutes.
A very hefty wake-up call, that’s how gallery owner Jan van de Loon describes the theft. “We are constantly confronted with it. Whether it’s when you close the door or just turn off the lights: you’re working on it in your head. The gallery is my home, it’s such a bad feeling.”
But giving up is not in his dictionary. The bare wall is filled with our own paintings and the art exhibition continues. “Shutting down was not an option. Because of the pleasant contact with artist Cornelis le Mair and the pleasant cooperation with the police, we feel good about the coming weeks. Why should we stop then? This is our passion.”
The gallery has also taken steps to improve security. “We have additionally secured the back door, where the burglars entered, on the inside and outside with heavy locks. We have also improved the alarm and have increased security within the Hill.”