Paintings by Picasso, Matisse, Monet and Freud are among the haul worth a “considerable value”

Police said a total of seven paintings were taken from the Kunsthal museum in Rotterdam including Pablo Picasso’s Tete d’Arlequin (1905) and Henri Mattise’s La Liseuse and Blanc et Jaune (1919).

Two pieces by Claude Monet – Waterloo Bridge, London (1901) and Charing Cross Bridge, London (1901) – were also stolen.

The thieves also made off with Paul Gauguin’s Femme devant une fenêtre ouverte, dite la Fiancee (1888), Meyer de Haan’s Autoportrait (circa 1889 – 91) and Woman with Eyes Closed (2002) by Lucian Freud.

The total value of the seven pieces has not been revealed but is said to be “considerable”, according to Mariette Maaskant from the museum.

“There was a break-in during the night and a few paintings were taken that represent a considerable sum,” Rotterdam police spokeswoman Patricia Wessels confirmed.

“A major investigation is under way and forensics are at the scene.”

The museum, which opened a new exhibition a few days ago to celebrate its 20th anniversary, will be shut for the rest of the day.

Investigators are now reviewing CCTV footage and appealing for witnesses who might have seen the crime, which is believed to have taken place in the early hours of the morning.

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