# I'm mad at my theiving son, so I'm going to destroy a billion dollars worth of art **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Created:** [May 20, 2002, 5:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-mad-at-my-theiving-son-so-im-going-to-destroy-a-billion-dollars-worth-of-art/109973 "2002-05-20T17:42:28Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![OpalCat](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/8edcca/32.png) [@OpalCat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/OpalCat)\ **Post date:** [May 20, 2002, 5:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-mad-at-my-theiving-son-so-im-going-to-destroy-a-billion-dollars-worth-of-art/109973/1 "2002-05-20T17:42:28Z")
[Art hoard worth $1.4bn destroyed](http://news.bbc.co.uk/hi/english/entertainment/arts/newsid_1990000/1990836.stm) \*A hoard of stolen art worth more than $1.4bn (£960m) has been destroyed - by the mother of a French art thief. (snip) She told police that she destroyed the paintings out of anger at her son. \* ::sputter::: :::boggle::: AAAAAAIIIIIIEEEE!!! …urge…to…kill…rising… ---
**Author:** ![Eva\_Luna](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/e495f1/32.png) [@Eva\_Luna](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Eva_Luna)\ **Post date:** [May 20, 2002, 5:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-mad-at-my-theiving-son-so-im-going-to-destroy-a-billion-dollars-worth-of-art/109973/2 "2002-05-20T17:54:31Z")
I thought the same thing…however, a more cynical (or criminally inclined?) acquaintance proposed that maybe she hadn’t destroyed the stuff after all, but had done something rather more profitable with it. Has anyone seen any evidence that the stuff was destroyed rather than hidden or sold? ---
**Author:** ![gobear](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/8dc957/32.png) [@gobear](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gobear)\ **Post date:** [May 20, 2002, 5:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-mad-at-my-theiving-son-so-im-going-to-destroy-a-billion-dollars-worth-of-art/109973/3 "2002-05-20T17:56:23Z")
My Pit [url=“[http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?threadid=115748](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?threadid=115748)”] thread\*\* on this topic had a better title. There is no punishment too bad for this benighted piece of offal. Destroying irrepleaceable art is just wrong (although I can’t too upset about shredding a Watteau painting. He was the most twee of the Rococo-era painters; how many frilly shepherdesses can one look at?) ---
**Author:** ![elf6c](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/c57346/32.png) [@elf6c](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elf6c)\ **Post date:** [May 20, 2002, 5:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-mad-at-my-theiving-son-so-im-going-to-destroy-a-billion-dollars-worth-of-art/109973/4 "2002-05-20T17:57:25Z")
Jeeze when my mom was mad at me she either: 1. Sent me to my room (o.k. with me actually- I would just read). 2. Said she was disappointed with me (HATED that one). 3. Hi Opal. 4. Said “wait until your **father** gets home” (uh oh- ass whipping time). Never did she burn my priceless stolen art. Well once she did key the stolen Jaguar I had hidden out back, but I deserved that one. . . _-me_ 😉 ---
**Author:** ![gobear](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/8dc957/32.png) [@gobear](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gobear)\ **Post date:** [May 20, 2002, 5:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-mad-at-my-theiving-son-so-im-going-to-destroy-a-billion-dollars-worth-of-art/109973/5 "2002-05-20T17:57:54Z")
My Pit [thread](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?threadid=115748) on this topic had a better title. There is no punishment too bad for this benighted piece of offal. Destroying irrepleaceable art is just wrong (although I can’t too upset about shredding a Watteau painting. He was the most twee of the Rococo-era painters; how many frilly shepherdesses can one look at?) ---
**Author:** ![gobear](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/8dc957/32.png) [@gobear](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gobear)\ **Post date:** [May 20, 2002, 6:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-mad-at-my-theiving-son-so-im-going-to-destroy-a-billion-dollars-worth-of-art/109973/6 "2002-05-20T18:05:34Z")
My Pit [thread](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?threadid=115748) on this topic had a better title. There is no punishment too bad for this benighted piece of offal. Destroying irrepleaceable art is just wrong (although I can’t too upset about shredding a Watteau painting. He was the most twee of the Rococo-era painters; how many frilly shepherdesses can one look at?) ---
**Author:** ![elf6c](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/c57346/32.png) [@elf6c](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elf6c)\ **Post date:** [May 20, 2002, 6:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-mad-at-my-theiving-son-so-im-going-to-destroy-a-billion-dollars-worth-of-art/109973/7 "2002-05-20T18:05:34Z")
Jeeze when my mom was mad at me she either: 1. Sent me to my room (o.k. with me actually- I would just read). 2. Said she was disappointed with me (HATED that one). 3. Hi Opal. 4. Said “wait until your **father** gets home” (uh oh- ass whipping time). Never did she burn my priceless stolen art. Well once she did key the stolen Jaguar I had hidden out back, but I deserved that one. . . _-me_ 😉 ---
**Author:** ![iampunha](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/74df32/32.png) [@iampunha](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/iampunha)\ **Post date:** [May 20, 2002, 6:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-mad-at-my-theiving-son-so-im-going-to-destroy-a-billion-dollars-worth-of-art/109973/8 "2002-05-20T18:49:43Z")
Holy double- and triple-posting, Batman! ---
**Author:** ![elf6c](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/c57346/32.png) [@elf6c](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elf6c)\ **Post date:** [May 20, 2002, 6:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-mad-at-my-theiving-son-so-im-going-to-destroy-a-billion-dollars-worth-of-art/109973/9 "2002-05-20T18:55:19Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by iampunha \* > \*\*Holy double- and triple-posting, Batman! \*\* No kidding! They must have been changing the hamsters in the SDMB Servers when Gobear and I tried to post. _-me_ ---
**Author:** ![Jonathan\_Chance](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jonathan_chance/32/701_2.png) [@Jonathan\_Chance](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jonathan_Chance)\ **Post date:** [May 20, 2002, 8:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-mad-at-my-theiving-son-so-im-going-to-destroy-a-billion-dollars-worth-of-art/109973/10 "2002-05-20T20:49:26Z")
Hey, _ars longa, vita brevis_. WHOOPS! ---
**Author:** ![OpalCat](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/8edcca/32.png) [@OpalCat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/OpalCat)\ **Post date:** [May 20, 2002, 8:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-mad-at-my-theiving-son-so-im-going-to-destroy-a-billion-dollars-worth-of-art/109973/11 "2002-05-20T20:57:01Z")
What exactly are the charges against her? I mean are there specific laws against destroying art, or is it just destroying personal property? ---
**Author:** ![BlackKnight](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/eb8c5e/32.png) [@BlackKnight](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BlackKnight)\ **Post date:** [May 20, 2002, 9:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-mad-at-my-theiving-son-so-im-going-to-destroy-a-billion-dollars-worth-of-art/109973/12 "2002-05-20T21:10:24Z")
As much as I try, I can’t get as worked up over this as many others seem to be. Yes, it’s theft and destruction of property. Yes, both he and his mother deserve to go to jail. I guess I just don’t much care for art. I mean, the guy stole paintings that I would have never seen, had never even heard of, and probably wouldn’t have much liked anyway. ---
**Author:** ![Miller](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/miller/32/481_2.png) [@Miller](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Miller)\ **Post date:** [May 20, 2002, 9:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-mad-at-my-theiving-son-so-im-going-to-destroy-a-billion-dollars-worth-of-art/109973/13 "2002-05-20T21:23:37Z")
Truth to tell, I’m with **Blackknight**. Especially when it comes to the paintings (which, as I understand it, were the only things irretrievably destroyed). We have pictures of these paintings, right? So, to me, if the original is destroyed, it’s a shame, but it’s not exactly a tragedy. It’s like if someone destroyed a first folio edition of _Hamlet_. It’s a shame and a waste, but it’s not like the world is forever deprived of the play. ---
**Author:** ![gobear](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/8dc957/32.png) [@gobear](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gobear)\ **Post date:** [May 20, 2002, 9:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-mad-at-my-theiving-son-so-im-going-to-destroy-a-billion-dollars-worth-of-art/109973/14 "2002-05-20T21:28:20Z")
> [@](#): > > So, to me, if the original is destroyed, it’s a shame, but it’s not exactly a tragedy. It’s like if someone destroyed a first folio edition of Hamlet. It’s a shame and a waste, but it’s not like the world is forever deprived of the play. See, that’s a bad analogy. The genius of _Hamlet_ is in the words, not in the medium that conveys the words. There is no substitute for being in the presence of a great work of art. As many times as you may have seen Monet’s _Bridge at Argentuil_ in books and posters, nothing can prepare you for the brain-melting beauty of the original. No copy can convey the colors, the brush strokes subtly visible on the surface, the size and setting of the original. ---
**Author:** ![Coldfire](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/a587f6/32.png) [@Coldfire](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Coldfire)\ **Post date:** [May 20, 2002, 9:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-mad-at-my-theiving-son-so-im-going-to-destroy-a-billion-dollars-worth-of-art/109973/15 "2002-05-20T21:29:50Z")
Destroying out of anger, my ass. Looks more like destroying evidence to me: to keep junior in the clear. Maddening. ---
**Author:** ![Coldfire](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/a587f6/32.png) [@Coldfire](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Coldfire)\ **Post date:** [May 20, 2002, 9:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-mad-at-my-theiving-son-so-im-going-to-destroy-a-billion-dollars-worth-of-art/109973/16 "2002-05-20T21:31:31Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Miller \* > \*\*We have pictures of these paintings, right? So, to me, if the original is destroyed, it’s a shame, but it’s not exactly a tragedy. \*\* You’re joking. Right? Please tell me you’re joking. ---
**Author:** ![Hosayf](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/2acd7d/32.png) [@Hosayf](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hosayf)\ **Post date:** [May 20, 2002, 9:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-mad-at-my-theiving-son-so-im-going-to-destroy-a-billion-dollars-worth-of-art/109973/17 "2002-05-20T21:50:49Z")
> [@](#): > > _Originally posted by gobear_ > \*\* > See, that’s a bad analogy. The genius of Hamlet is in the words, not in the medium that conveys the words. There is no substitute for being in the presence of a great work of art. As many times as you may have seen Monet’s Bridge at Argentuil in books and posters, nothing can prepare you for the brain-melting beauty of the original. No copy can convey the colors, the brush strokes subtly visible on the surface, the size and setting of the original. \*\* I agree with this. I was blown away seeing _Starry Night_. Just the feeling of being that close to such a legendary painting is enough, and it is so much more impressive seeing it in real life. **Miller** and **BlackKnight** I really don’t understand where you’re coming from. It is not the greatest tragedy in the world, but it is tragic that someone could destroy something like that out of anger or in order to cover her son’s ass. ---
**Author:** ![Tansu](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/67e7ee/32.png) [@Tansu](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tansu)\ **Post date:** [May 20, 2002, 9:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-mad-at-my-theiving-son-so-im-going-to-destroy-a-billion-dollars-worth-of-art/109973/18 "2002-05-20T21:53:18Z")
**Coldfire** - and to keep herself in the clear, seeing as it was her house that he hoarded all the paintings and antiques in. Didn’t want to be an accessory. What a fucking scrotal flea. ---
**Author:** ![tisiphone](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/bbe5ce/32.png) [@tisiphone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tisiphone)\ **Post date:** [May 20, 2002, 10:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-mad-at-my-theiving-son-so-im-going-to-destroy-a-billion-dollars-worth-of-art/109973/19 "2002-05-20T22:00:02Z")
I’m still all nauseous. :weeps: The **Breughels**! ---
**Author:** ![Tranquilis](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tranquilis/32/3639_2.png) [@Tranquilis](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tranquilis)\ **Post date:** [May 20, 2002, 11:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-mad-at-my-theiving-son-so-im-going-to-destroy-a-billion-dollars-worth-of-art/109973/20 "2002-05-20T23:29:24Z")
I’ve said it before, and I’m saying it now: I feel that, in terms of pillaging our comon heritage, this woman ranks right up alongside the Talliban. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-mad-at-my-theiving-son-so-im-going-to-destroy-a-billion-dollars-worth-of-art/109973.md?page=2)