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

The Art Thief is a 2022 work of narrative nonfiction by American author and journalist Michael Finkel. The book tells the story of Stéphane Breitwieser, one of history’s most prolific art thieves. Between 1994 and 2002, he stole artwork with an estimated value of up to $2 billion from European museums, galleries, and churches. Unusually, Breitweiser’s heists were not committed for monetary gain. Instead, the art thief was motivated by a desire to surround himself with beauty. Throughout the text, the author interweaves elements of true crime, art history, biography, and psychological analysis. Finkel’s themes include The Appreciation and Power of Art, The Psychological Aspects of Criminal Behavior, and The Impact of Art Theft on cultural and historical aspects of society.

This guide uses the 2023 Simon & Schuster e-book edition.

Content Warning: The source material includes references to addiction, toxic relationships, confinement, abortion, suicidal thoughts, and a suicide attempt.

Summary

Breitwieser grows up in a home furnished with antiques. A loner, he is happiest when digging for ancient artifacts with his grandfather. While Breitwieser’s father is authoritarian, his mother,

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