You can get a copy of the “Catch the Art Thief” game sheet at RML now – sorry I can’t get the whole sheet up on the blog for download!
Coast of Brittany
Artist: James Abbott McNeill Whistler
So that’s the stolen painting – perfect to hang at your beach house for the summer, right? But stealing from the Wadsworth? Soooooo illegal!
Someone on the Richmond Library staff has stolen this painting to hang in their summer cottage! Watch the failed attempts of 8 other employees who tried before and failed. Each week there will be a CLUE posted here – posted on Fridays and only up til the next Friday. Keep track on the game sheet of who tries and fails to steal the painting.
This game will run for 8 weeks, with the final failed attempt on Friday, August 14. Hand in the sheet after that with the name of the successful art thief! Good Luck!
Clue / Week #8 – Aug 14
The Faithful Colt by William Harnett, 1890
RML employees Ann Grybko and Lee Philips have been good friends for quite some time. They’ve traveled to Europe and been stuck on many bus trips together, gotten to know each other’s families and spent many dinners together with mutual friends over the years.
So it was no surprise when they decided to go together to the Wadsworth to steal Whistler’s ‘beach’ painting. They talked of buying a cottage together at the shore, for when they both retire. What Lee didn’t know was that Ann had no intention of sharing the painting, or a beach house.
While in the Museum, Ann grabbed this painting of the iconic Colt revolver and slammed it over Lee’s head while her back was turned! Ann ran and grabbed the “Coast of Brittany”, and made her getaway into the setting sun. She never showed up for work the next day either. Sadly, Thelma and Louise were no more.
As for Lee, she woke as the police were loading her into the cruiser. No charges were filed by the Wadsworth, but she would be working a looooooooooong time to pay off the price of that painting.
So so long Ann – who, in reality, is retiring from the Richmond Memorial Library after almost 32 years of service! We know you would never do such a thing – and we, especially Lee, will miss you. -The RML Staff
Patty Said:
on July 1, 2009 at 2:23 pm
Poor Sandy!
Eileen, this is too funny!
Patty
Nancy Said:
on July 30, 2009 at 11:49 am
It’s a sculpture, not a painting – see, that’s why an art history major should have won this year!
marlteens Said:
on August 2, 2009 at 9:55 pm
Minor technicality…
Nancy Said:
on August 25, 2009 at 12:08 pm
Our special best wishes and thanks to Ann for her many years of helping Marlborough’s residents love their library! Happy trails and travels!