Bronze Sculpture Stolen From Ringling Museum

The John and Mable Ringling Museum of Art suffered an Election Day art heist and today officials are asking for the return of the bronze sculpture.

Museum officials announced Thursday morning that sculpture Endogenae was cut from its pedestal and removed from the museum grounds and the theft was reported to Sarasota Police on Tuesday.

The 20th century bronze sculpture was completed by American Artist A. Arlie Sinaiko, who died in 1984.

“Endogenae has long been on display on the Museum grounds and this theft is unprecedented,” said Steven High, executive director for The John and Mable Ringling Museum of Art. “The work was damaged when it was taken and so has no acceptable value. We are most concerned with the sculpture’s return to the Museum. We ask that anyone who knows the location of the damaged work to notify us of its location.” 

The sculpture was donated to the Ringling Museum by Mrs. Suzanne F. Sinaiko, the wife of the artist, in 1968, accoridng to museum officials. Endogenae was recently on display on the grounds, north of the Ulla R. and Arthur F. Searing Wing.  

Theft of bronze sculptures have been common in Sarasota this summer when a rash of sculptures were sawed off straight from the lawns of residents and a pool cleaner was charged in connection with those crimes. The suspect attempted to sell those sculptures to scrap metal recycling plants.

Anyone with information can anonymously contact the museum's Registrar’s Office at 941-359-5700 ext. 1501.