Salzburg Authorities: 210 Mozart Statuettes Stolen in Austria

• 210 gold statuettes of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart disappeared from his hometown of Salzburg on July 15, 2026.
• The mini-Mozarts were designed by German conceptual artist Ottmar Hörl as part of a tribute to the composer's 270th birthday.
• The theft has left a significant impact on the exhibition, with the remaining statues now widely spaced to compensate for the losses.

A staggering 210 gold statuettes of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart disappeared from his hometown of Salzburg on July 15, 2026. The mini-Mozarts, designed by German conceptual artist Ottmar Hörl, were part of a tribute to the composer's 270th birthday and had been placed in various locations around the city, including the garden of his former house, living quarters, and pavilions. Within two weeks, more than 80 of the statuettes had vanished, but it wasn't until Wednesday that officials confirmed the total number of missing statues was 210.

The theft has left a significant impact on the exhibition, with the remaining statues now widely spaced to compensate for the losses. The manufacturer of the statues was away on holidays at the time of the theft, making it difficult to replace them quickly.

The theft of Hörl's artworks is not an isolated incident. In 2016, a complete array of statues of Richard Wagner was stolen from one of his installations in Bayreuth, Germany, within just 10 days. Hörl has stated that he does not believe visitors stole the works but rather that it was an 'organized theft.' This highlights the vulnerability of artworks on display in public spaces and raises questions about the security measures in place to protect them.

The value of each statue is estimated to be around 100 euros, meaning the thieves have not become overnight millionaires. However, the incident has sparked concerns among artists who may want to consider taking measures to secure their work or obtain insurance coverage against theft.

The theft of the mini-Mozarts is a stark reminder of the risks faced by artworks on display in public spaces. Hörl's intention was not only to pay tribute to Mozart but also to show his human side, and the theft has left a significant impact on the exhibition.

As artists continue to push boundaries and create works that engage with the public, they must also consider the security of their creations. The incident highlights the need for artists to take proactive measures to protect their work, including obtaining insurance coverage against theft and vandalism.

This incident highlights the vulnerability of artworks on display in public spaces, and artists may want to consider taking measures to secure their work or obtain insurance coverage against theft.

Source: Original reporting via Courthouse News Service