The banana from Maurizio Cattelan's artwork *Comedian* (2019) was stolen from the Centre Pompidou-Metz in Metz, France, where it was on display as part of the exhibition “Endless Sunday: A Living Exhibition in Perpetual Motion.” A photograph dated May 30 shows only a mangled strip of duct tape on the wall. The museum stated that the work's value lies in its certificate of authenticity and presentation protocol, not the perishable banana, which is replaced every three days per the artist's instructions. The institution condemned the act as undermining respect for works on display.
The theft continues the notoriety of *Comedian*, which first gained global attention at Art Basel Miami Beach 2019, where three editions sold for $120,000–$150,000 each. In 2024, one edition sold at Sotheby's for $6.2 million to crypto-billionaire Justin Sun, who later ate the banana in a publicity stunt. The incident highlights how conceptual art—where the idea and certificate outweigh the physical object—remains a lightning rod for both market speculation and disruptive public engagement, raising questions about the boundaries of art, value, and audience behavior.