Montreal police are actively investigating a sophisticated break-in at the Westmount residence of a wealthy art collector, an incident that occurred less than a week after the man's death. The targeted home, located on Belvedere Circle, is believed to have contained an art collection valued in the millions of dollars.
A Collection of Immense Value
According to friends of the deceased collector, the property was a veritable private museum. The interior was described as being covered "wall-to-wall, floor-to-ceiling" with paintings. The collection reportedly included significant works by renowned Canadian artists, such as Emily Carr and members of the Group of Seven, including Arthur Lismer and Frederick Varley.
One friend revealed the collector also possessed priceless Japanese art and that his garage was filled with valuable works not yet displayed. "He had accumulated millions of dollars of art," the friend stated, noting the man had given some pieces to relatives before his passing. Another source confirmed the collector was known in art circles as a major client who spent millions over the years, but was also very secretive and could be difficult.
A Troubling Timeline of Events
The art collector, who was in his late 70s, died on December 24. A funeral was held shortly after, attended by approximately two dozen people. Just six days after his death, on December 30, his home was broken into. A Montreal police spokesperson confirmed the investigation into the burglary but could not provide details on what was taken or confirm any arrests.
Adding a layer of mystery to the case, three sources disclosed that the man was assaulted in the months before his death. The incident frightened him so profoundly that he lived in a Montreal hotel for several days afterward and refused to file a police complaint. Friends said he had become increasingly isolated in recent years, living alone and distancing himself from loved ones.
Ongoing Investigation and Community Concern
The break-in was brought to light after an art appraiser familiar with the collector sent an email to contacts indicating that artworks appeared to have been stolen. This has raised significant concerns within Montreal's close-knit art community about the fate of the valuable collection.
With the police investigation ongoing, friends and associates of the collector are left worrying about the potential loss of culturally significant Canadian art. The case highlights the vulnerabilities of private collections and the swiftness with which thieves can target estates in transition. Montreal police continue to seek information as they work to unravel the circumstances of this major art heist in one of the city's most affluent neighborhoods.
