Eloise HorsfieldBy Wendy Williams
A SCOTTISH expat has been left distraught after one of her paintings was stolen from an exhibition.
Self-taught artist Juliette Robb, 69, was displaying her work in Los Arcos restaurant, on the Coin to Cartama road, when the painting vanished.
The restaurant owner, Eva Lucena Garcia, insists she had taken the paintings down while she was decorating and it was then the image, which was on sale for €120, was taken.
This despite the oil painting being five foot by four foot in size.
“I was gobsmacked,” said Robb, who has lived in Coin for eight years and was the first British expat to have an exhibition in the Casa de Cultura in Alhaurin el Grande.
“I came to collect my paintings and was told that it had gone.
“But it was the biggest canvas I had done so I don’t see how it could have gone walkies without someone seeing something,” added Robb, who also runs painting classes.
“It is quite sickening to realise that there are those who would steal someone’s livelihood.
“This painting was of great importance to me.
“Although I don’t subscribe to bullfighting I felt it was a good representation of the Spanish tradition and the might of the beast against man.”
Meanwhile Lucena admitted this was not the first time something had been stolen from the bar.
“I am really sorry for Juliette but I didn’t see what happened and unfortunately, we are used to things being stolen as it is a busy restaurant with lots of people coming and going.”
If you have seen the painting, email wendy@theolivepress.es
No, but given the barbarism it depicts I hope it never sees the light of day again.
The artist “doesn’t subscribe to bullfighting” But is quite happy to try and make money from it. Karma?
I’ll keep my eyes open, but I’m not hopeful. All the art thieves I know have good taste.
…and the might of the beast against man? Wake up, will you!