In a regrettable blunder, a Dutch municipality has acknowledged that it "most likely" discarded a total of 46 artworks, among them a unique Andy Warhol print of former Queen Beatrix of the Netherlands, during renovation works last year. This unfortunate incident occurred in Uden, where the town hall is undergoing significant updates as part of its incorporation into the newly formed Maashorst municipality, which merges Uden with the neighboring municipality of Landerd.

The exhibition featuring the Warhol prints took place in Apeldoorn, Netherlands, in October of the previous year. The specific pieces that have been lost remain unidentified, but included a valuable silkscreen print of Queen Beatrix from the 1980s, estimated to be worth around 15,000 (approximately 12,800).

Mayor Hans van der Pas expressed his disappointment regarding the situation during an interview with public broadcaster Omroep Brabant, stating, "That's not how you treat valuables. But it happened. We regret that." His remarks reflect a broader concern about the mishandling of culturally significant items and the importance of preserving artistic heritage.

An investigation conducted into the incident revealed that the artworks had been stored in a basement during the renovation process. The report indicated that a lack of clear guidelines for the proper storage of the artworks significantly contributed to this mishap. It appears that several of the artworks were inappropriately placed in wheelie bins rather than being treated with the care and respect they deserved.

The municipality's statement released on Thursday detailed the circumstances under which the artworks went missing, confirming that it was highly likely they were mistakenly discarded along with general waste. The investigation highlighted that there were no established policies or procedures in place to manage the renovation effectively, and there was insufficient action taken when the artworks were reported missing.

Local media outlets have reported that the total estimated value of the 46 missing artworks amounts to approximately 22,000 (18,800). Unfortunately, the Maashorst municipality has now conveyed that the chances of recovering these lost pieces are slim to none.

Queen Beatrix served as the queen of the Netherlands from 1980 until her abdication in 2013, when her son, King Willem-Alexander, ascended to the throne. The print of Queen Beatrix was part of Warhol's renowned series titled "Reigning Queens," which includes 16 vibrant prints depicting four monarchs, among them the late Queen Elizabeth II, Margrethe II of Denmarkwho abdicated in 2023and Queen Ntombi Twala of Eswatini, formerly known as Swaziland.

Andy Warhol, who is celebrated as one of the most influential artists of the 20th century, created these prints in 1985, just two years before his passing. Last November, a separate incident involving Warhol's prints of Queen Beatrix and Queen Ntombi Twala occurred when they were stolen during a heist at a Dutch art gallery. Local police reported that the culprits had made off with four silkscreen prints but abandoned the portraits of Queen Beatrix and Queen Ntombi because they could not fit them into their getaway vehicle, as detailed by NOS at the time.