Hanging's too good for the thief who took our paintings

AS HEISTS go, it is unlikely to send shivers through the art world. But the mysterious theft of four paintings by amateur artists during an exhibition at Blackhall Library has left police and locals baffled.

The library was playing host to an annual exhibition by members of the Blackhall St Columba's Art Club when the art-loving criminal pounced.

Four paintings – with a combined price of just 150 – were removed from its walls and spirited away.

It is the second bizarre art theft to hit the Capital this month after the 4,000 watercolour, I Cannae Hear Ye by Borders artist Tom Scott, was stolen from the Signet Library in Parliament Square. It was later discovered hanging on a railing outside the building days later.

The paintings taken from the library in Hillhouse Road had only been on display for a matter of days near the entrance when they were snatched.

Each member of the 42-strong club, which meets twice a week at St Columba's Church in Queensferry Road, chose a creation for the show, with some now joking that it was a "bit of a compliment" to have a piece stolen. But the artists hope that the thief may have a change of heart and return their efforts.

Among the works stolen was Tranquility by Peter Brodie, a watercolour measuring 70cm by 70cm, which depicts a rural scene with an ornate bronze frame.

Mr Brodie, a retired construction worker from Blackhall, said: "I was disappointed because I was going to give the painting to my mother as a present.

It was one of the biggest ones and was near the door, which is why it was probably taken."

The second piece was Bruges – The Watercolour by Morven Brown, a 20cm by 30cm scene from the Belgian city in a bronze frame.

The third artwork was Blue Tits in Springtime by Jennifer Milligan, a 30cm by 20cm watercolour of a bird backed by peach blossom in a brown varnished frame.

And the fourth painting taken during last month's raid was Loch Ken, Galloway, an acrylic measuring 40cm by 60cm and showing a scene from the Scottish beauty spot.

Aileen Crosbie, the club's secretary, said: "I couldn't quite believe it had happened when I found out as most of the paintings were only on sale for 20 to 40."

John Wilson, the club chairman, said: "We're very grateful for the library for letting us put on the exhibition. But next year we may have to take some extra security measures."

The popular club has a waiting list to join, with members gathering to work and socialise. The membership have held an annual exhibition and sale at the church every May for the last 25 years, with the funds raised this year set to be given to the RNLI.

HOW DOES THE GREAT BLACKHALL ART HEIST COMPARE?

Edvard Munch's The Scream, was taken by armed robbers after they held up Oslo's Munch Museum in 2004.

Another version of the famous painting was snatched by thieves in a break-in in 1994. Although they set off an alarm, this was ignored by a security guard. The thieves left a note reading: "Thanks for the poor security."

• The theft of the Mona Lisa from the Louvre, Paris, in 1911 has been described by some as the "biggest art heist in history". Vincenzo Peruggia, an Italian workman, walked out with it. He had been annoyed by the number of Italian works in the collection.

• Leonardo Da Vinci's Madonna with the Yarnwinder, valued at between 25m and 50m, was stolen from the Duke of Buccleuch's home at Drumlanrig Castle in August 2003 and recovered in 2007.