Pål Enger is dead – news Norway – Overview of news from various parts of the country

Pål Enger has died, aged 57. This shows information that news has obtained from the National Register of Citizens. Dagbladet writes that close family have been informed of the death. Enger played football for Vålerenga in his youth, where he got two seasons in the A team and played in the UEFA Cup. Norwegians probably know him best as the country’s most famous art thief. The lawyer: – Only good memories Lawyer Nils Christian Nordhus will remember Pål Enger as a reflective man with a lot of humour. Photo: NTB Scanpix Nils Christian Nordhus, Enger’s lawyer, says they spoke a few months ago. – He was forward-looking and, among other things, looked forward to being able to get his certificate again. Even though he had a lot in his luggage, he felt that he had a lot of his life ahead of him, says Nordhus to news. The lawyer will remember Enger as someone who cared about those around him, especially his family. – I am left with exclusively good memories. He was strong, but modest at the same time. Nordhus admits that Enger often made him smile. – I think he had a very good sense of humour. He could be very serious, but at the same time he could be funny and reflective. There was no doubt that he was intelligent. I remember him as a good person. Stole “Scream” and “vampire” Scream at an exhibition in the new Munch Museum. Photo: Javier Ernesto Auris Chavez In 1988, Enger climbed into a window at the National Gallery in Oslo and stole the painting “Vampire”. Six years later, when the world’s eyes were on the opening ceremony for the Winter Olympics in Lillehammer, he stole “Scream” from the National Gallery. Enger left a note on the floor, with the inscription “thanks for poor security”. The news went around the world. The picture was restored on 7 May of the same year and Enger was jailed for seven years for aggravated theft. Enger believed it was his theft that made “Scream” a world-renowned painting. – It can thank me because it is so well known and because Norway has as much to play with around painting as it does today. Of course, the procedure I used was not correct. That can be discussed afterwards, Enger told news in 2012. Pushwagner theft In 2016, Enger was convicted of stealing 15 Pushwagner prints, to a total value of NOK 653,000. The thefts were uncovered because the police found Enger’s wallet in the gallery premises. Enger himself claimed that he had nothing to do with the theft. – I’m bitter. The court sentenced me for having stolen photos that I have proven not to have taken, he told Dagbladet. The case took a new turn when it became clear that several of the pictures Enger had allegedly stolen were sold before the theft took place. He served only one year of his sentence. Own art During his time in prison, the convicted art thief began to paint himself. In 2011, he opened his own art exhibition with abstract works. He told news that “it’s better to make your own pictures than to steal other people’s”. Pål Enger describes Skrik’s expression Published 30.06.2024, at 13.12 Updated 30.06.2024, at 13.21



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