The Way of Life, designed by Parisian goldsmith Joseph Chaumet which traces the life of Jesus, was crushed during an armed robbery Thursday at Hiéron museum in Paray-le-Monial.
Four armed robbers stormed the Hiéron museum known for the collection of sacred art. The centerpiece of the museum, The Way of Life (1904) by the Parisian goldsmith Joseph Chaumet, which traces the life of Jesus, was almost entirely looted.
After stopping on motorbikes in front of the museum, three of the four robbers burst in, opened fire to sow panic at the reception before seizing the pieces which adorned the The Way of Life. They stole its gold and ivory statuettes, as well as emerald decorations, after sawing with a chainsaw the armored windows which protected the nearly three meter high work.
Despite the presence of security, the robbers managed to seize the works before the police arrived. The robbers fled on motorbikes and neutralized two police vehicles which were on the pursuit, a sign that the operation was well prepared, the police said.
The Way of Life is a French national treasure, 3 meters high and weighing 3 tonnes, carved out of marble and estimated at 7 million euros.
Anna Melnykova, "Palace of Labor (palats praci), architector I. Pretro, 1916", shot with analog Canon camera, 35 mm Fuji film in March 2022.
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