BOGOTA (AFP) - Thieves stole a "priceless" engraving by Spanish master Francisco de Goya from a temporary exhibition in Colombia, a museum spokesman said Friday.
The "Tristes Presentimientos" or "Sad Feelings" engraving dealt with was one of 80 by the Spanish artist in a temporary exhibition on war in Bogota's Gilberto Alzate Avendano museum.
"The work was removed last night (Thursday). It's part of Spain's cultural heritage with an incalculable value since it was the first work of a series," said exhibition manager Luis Ortiz.
The work, drawn between 1810 and 1814, was insured but Ortiz said they were hoping it would be recovered because the theft "caused great damage to the country."
The engraving, which began in the Bogota show on September 3, had also been due to travel to the northwestern city of Medellin and recently took part in similar exhibitions in China and France.
Goya (1746-1828) is regarded as the most important Spanish artist of the late 18th and early 19th centuries.
Over the course of his long career, Goya moved from lightheartedness to deep pessimism and searching in his paintings, drawings, etchings, and frescoes.