French Museum Reports Theft of Infamous Banana Duct-Taped Artwork

A French museum has reported the theft of one of the world’s most recognizable contemporary artworks after the banana used in Maurizio Cattelan’s controversial installation Comedian disappeared from an exhibition in eastern France.

The incident took place at the Centre Pompidou-Metz, where a security guard discovered that the banana—duct-taped to a wall as part of the artwork—had gone missing. Museum officials quickly filed a criminal complaint with local authorities and launched an investigation into the disappearance. Despite the theft, the museum swiftly restored the artwork by replacing the missing fruit with a new banana.

Created by Italian artist Maurizio Cattelan in 2019, Comedian became an international sensation after debuting at Art Basel Miami Beach. The artwork consists of a fresh banana attached to a wall with duct tape, sparking debate about the meaning of contemporary art and the value assigned to conceptual works. What appears to be a simple banana, however, is part of a certified artwork that has sold for millions of dollars.

Museum officials emphasized that no permanent damage had been done to the artwork because the banana itself is a replaceable component. According to the artwork’s guidelines, the fruit is routinely changed every few days to maintain its appearance. The true value of the piece lies in its certificate of authenticity and the instructions governing its display.

The latest theft marks another unusual chapter in the history of Comedian. The artwork has repeatedly made headlines after visitors consumed the banana during exhibitions. In July last year, a museum visitor ate the fruit while it was on display at the same French institution. Similar incidents have occurred in Miami and Seoul, where individuals removed and ate the banana before museum staff replaced it.

Perhaps the most famous interaction with the artwork came in 2024, when cryptocurrency entrepreneur Justin Sun purchased an edition of Comedian for approximately $6.2 million. Days later, he publicly ate the banana during a media event in Hong Kong, generating worldwide attention while reinforcing the artwork’s reputation as one of the most unconventional pieces in modern art.

This time, however, the museum chose to involve law enforcement because the individual responsible for the disappearance remains unidentified. Officials said the decision reflects concerns about respect for exhibited works and the need to investigate the circumstances surrounding the theft.

The incident has once again reignited discussions about conceptual art, artistic value, and the role of audience participation in contemporary exhibitions. While some view Comedian as a satirical commentary on the art market, others continue to question how a banana taped to a wall can command multimillion-dollar valuations.

Despite the missing fruit, visitors to the Centre Pompidou-Metz can still view Comedian exactly as intended—thanks to a freshly replaced banana and a roll of duct tape. As police continue their investigation, the mystery of the missing banana has only added another remarkable story to the artwork’s already extraordinary legacy.