Theft of a Hans Arp Sculpture at ART COLOGNE
Dear colleagues, art lovers and friends of the gallery,
Unfortunately, we must inform you that on Sunday evening, November 8, between 4:55 p.m. and 5:10 p.m., a sculpture by Hans Arp, measuring just under 30 cm in height, was stolen from our booth at ART COLOGNE.
The police were immediately notified, and a criminal complaint was filed.
We are appealing to visitors of the fair and the wider art community for their assistance. If you are being offered for sale the work described below at any point in the future or if you have any information regarding its whereabouts, please contact us or the police directly.
Photographs taken at our booth C-121 on November 8 between 4:55 p.m. and 5:10 p.m. would also be particularly helpful. If you visited our booth during this period and took any photographs, we would be very grateful if you could share them with us. You can send them by email (mail@ludorff.com / kk71.koeln@polizei.nrw.de) or directly via WhatsApp (+49 157 38141925). Even the smallest piece of information could prove significant in helping to solve the theft.
The stolen object is the gold-colored bronze sculpture “S’élevant (Rising)” from 1962. The work is a characteristic example of Hans Arp's late oeuvre, which is strongly defined by organic forms. The upward movement suggested by the title finds direct expression in the sculpture's curved form, which develops and rises upwards. The work was on display at ART COLOGNE from November 4 to 8, 2026.
It is deeply regrettable that an incident of this kind has cast a shadow over what was otherwise a very successful and enjoyable fair for us. We therefore hope even more for the support of the art community and that the sculpture will be recovered unharmed. We sincerely thank you for your attention and assistance.
Further information about the work, as well as photographic material, can be found below.
Platzierung der gestohlenen Skulptur auf dem Messestand C-121 der Art Cologne 2026