SALZBURG, Austria — A public art tribute marking the 270th birthday of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart has been hit by a mass theft, with 210 of 320 gold-colored miniature Mozart statuettes disappearing from Salzburg, leaving the anniversary installation dramatically depleted.
The International Mozarteum Foundation unveiled the installation on July 15 in collaboration with German conceptual artist Ottmar Hörl. The approximately 50-centimeter-tall figures, made from weather-resistant synthetic material, depict Mozart with his dog and were installed in the Mirabell Gardens, the Mozarteum’s adjoining garden and areas of the Mozart Residence.
Within two weeks, more than 80 of the figures had disappeared. By Wednesday, officials said the number had reached 210, leaving only 110 of the original installation in place.
Hörl told the German news agency dpa that he did not believe the disappearances were simply the work of visitors taking souvenirs. He described the theft as appearing to be organized.
The missing sculptures are not individually priceless artworks. Hörl had planned to sell the original figures for about 90 euros each after the exhibition, while a limited series of 270 signed figures was priced at 180 euros. That means the stolen pieces would not make the thieves wealthy even if they were able to sell them.
The scale of the theft has nevertheless created a major setback for the exhibition. Organizers had kept some replacement figures available, but there were not enough to make up for the losses. The manufacturer was also on holiday, preventing an immediate replacement of the missing works.
The installation, titled Mozart – The Untamable Genius, was designed to mark the 270th anniversary of Mozart’s birth and bring contemporary art into public spaces associated with the composer. The Mozarteum Foundation said the figures were intended to encourage people to engage with Mozart and his connection to Salzburg beyond traditional museum settings.
The figures portray Mozart alongside his dog, Pimperl, reflecting the composer’s connection with animals documented in correspondence from the Mozart family. Hörl said the project was intended not as a conventional monument but as an artwork that encourages conversation and connects people with places.
Hörl has experienced similar thefts involving his large-scale public art. A previous installation featuring figures of composer Richard Wagner in Bayreuth, Germany, was reportedly completely stolen within 10 days.
The remaining mini-Mozarts are now spaced farther apart following the thefts. The installation was originally scheduled to remain on display through August 30.
Mozart was born in Salzburg in 1756 and remains one of the city’s defining cultural figures. The 2026 celebrations have placed particular emphasis on his 270th birthday, with the International Mozarteum Foundation organizing exhibitions and events connecting his legacy with contemporary artistic work.
What began as a colorful tribute celebrating one of Salzburg’s most famous sons has therefore become an unusual art theft story, with hundreds of miniature Mozarts disappearing from public spaces before the anniversary exhibition could reach its scheduled conclusion.
Paraluman P. Funtanilla
Paraluman P. Funtanilla is Tutubi News Magazine's Marketing Specialist and is a Contributing Editor. She finished her degree in Communication Arts in De La Salle Lipa. She has worked as a Digital Marketer for start-up businesses and small business spaces for the past two years. She has earned certificates from Coursera on Brand Management: Aligning Business Brand and Behavior and Viral Marketing and How to Craft Contagious Content. She also worked with Asia Express Romania TV Show.
- Paraluman P. Funtanilla
- Paraluman P. Funtanilla
- Paraluman P. Funtanilla
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