The violent explosion that occurred at the entrance of the Musée d'Orsay instantly spread to the interior and exterior of this apartment building near the Place de la Bastille.
In the quiet night, the sound of explosions in the distance was very clear.
The moment they heard the explosion, everyone looked towards the Seine River in surprise.
Unfortunately, there are many buildings blocking it, so you can’t see anything.
Numerous armed security guards guarding both inside and outside the apartment building, as well as a large number of Paris police officers guarding the perimeter, were immediately put on the highest alert.
They looked around vigilantly at the large crowds gathering on the streets, ready to react at any time!
Those guys in the crowd with ulterior motives had their eyes shining with excitement, and they were all ready to make a move.
Xiao Ran, who was staying in the appraisal room on the first floor, and the French antique art appraisal experts also heard the explosion coming from outside, and looked at the night sky outside the window.
"What happened? The explosion seemed to come from the Louvre. Could it be that something happened to the Louvre?"
"Probably not. Who would take the idea of the Louvre? The Louvre has always been heavily guarded and is rarely broken into."
"Besides, if there is such a big commotion now, even if someone tries to get the Louvre, they will definitely fail."
Several French antique art appraisal experts were discussing it, all with worried looks in their eyes.
After a few words of discussion, these guys suddenly turned to look at Xiao Ran.
They didn't seem to remember until then.
The five-star hotel where Xiao Ran and the others stayed was diagonally opposite the Louvre, separated only by the Seine River.
More importantly, almost all the antique artworks and gold and silver treasures he had discovered and swept away in Paris were said to be stored in the vault he rented at the Musée d'Orsay.
Could the violent explosion that just happened have something to do with this guy Sean? This possibility is too great!
Who in the world doesn't know that this guy will cause uproar wherever he goes.
It was the same when I came to Paris this time. I didn’t know how many things happened, I almost lost count!
Thinking of this, several French antique art appraisal experts even gloated a little.
But they also understood, judging from the violent explosion just now.
Even if someone tried to cause trouble for Sean just now, they probably failed or were even killed by this guy's men.
For example, two or three hours ago, there was a shootout in front of the Musée d'Orsay.
A group of Serbians who tried to sneak into the Musée d'Orsay to rob Sean were rounded up by the police and several of them were killed.
Just when these French guys were secretly guessing, Anthony's voice suddenly came from the walkie-talkie.
"Sean, some guys just tried to sneak into the Musée d'Orsay. They should be a group of art thieves. They dived along the Seine River and their equipment is quite professional."
"I don't know why, but the equipment those guys were carrying suddenly exploded violently, causing heavy casualties to those idiots. The explosion seemed to be a compressed gas bottle."
"The seven or eight idiots responsible for covering and responding to those guys have all been exposed. Now they have exchanged fire with the Paris police, and a few more have been killed in the blink of an eye."
"It's okay at the hotel. Our guys didn't participate in the exchange of fire. They were just condescending and providing guidance and technical support to the police."
After hearing the announcement, Xiao Ran immediately picked up the walkie-talkie and said:
"Since those idiots did not attack the hotel we stayed in or attack our people, it is inconvenient for us to participate in the crossfire and just be a friendly international friend."
"For example, using equipment such as infrared thermal imaging cameras and small drones to provide support to the Paris police and indicate the locations and hiding places of those idiots, etc."
"At the same time, guard the entrances of the hotel and don't let those idiots sneak into the hotel. If those idiots attack us, then send those idiots to hell..."
"Understood, boss, I will handle these matters, including communication with the police."
Anthony responded before ending the call.
Listening to the conversation between them, everyone took a breath.
Although Anthony said categorically that the violent explosion that just occurred had nothing to do with him.
However, few people believed what he said.
People could hear it in his words.
The art thieves who just used the cover of night to sneak into the Musée d'Orsay and loot it were under strict surveillance from beginning to end.
What they thought was a very secretive operation was not even half-secret at all. It had long since become a fat pig on the chopping board, depending on when the knife-wielder took action!
This situation makes many people secretly frightened.
Especially those guys who were ready to move on the street outside, they all felt a chill on their backs and could not help but shiver.
Immediately afterwards, they quickly looked at the surrounding situation, suspicious.
As a result, they found nothing, but quickly died down.
At this moment, Xiao Ran had uncovered the last layer of moisture-proof tarpaulin outside the picture frame at hand.
The painting, hidden under a moisture-proof tarpaulin, was finally revealed to everyone.
The moment they saw this painting, everyone was stunned and stunned.
Even Xiao Ran behaved the same way.
This is a realistic painting with religious themes, "The Virgin and Child".
Due to its age, the surface of this painting has become somewhat cracked, and the cracks are densely packed like a spider web.
Even so, the surface of the painting is still quite bright, as if it had been coated with varnish.
What shocked everyone was the characteristics of the painting, not the content.
The next moment, Xiao Ran suddenly said in surprise:
"Wow! This is actually an ancient tempera painting, and it's in pretty good condition. It's really rare!"
"There is the author's signature in the lower right corner of the painting. It is in Latin cursive. If I read it correctly, it should be Masaccio's initials."
"Masaccio was a pioneer of Renaissance art, the founder of Renaissance painting, and the first painter to use perspective. He is known as the pioneer of realism."
"In terms of its status in art history, this painting of his is very precious. In addition, it is a rare tempera painting, which makes it even more precious."
"The so-called tempera painting is a painting made with egg white or egg yolk and pigment. It is usually painted on a drawing board covered with plaster. This painting technique was mainstream before the emergence of oil painting."
"With the emergence and maturity of oil painting techniques, egg tempera painting quickly declined. From this point of view, it shows how old this painting is and how precious it is."
Following Xiao Ran's introduction, people woke up one after another and gained some understanding of this painting and tempera painting.
Several French antique art appraisal experts present at the scene started dancing with excitement.
"Oh my God! This is actually a tempera painting by Masaccio, the founder of Renaissance painting. It's a priceless treasure!"
"God bless me, I didn't expect that there is such a priceless treasure here. It's incredible."
While exclaiming, the French people quickly gathered around and excitedly began to identify and appreciate this rare painting.
As for the identification results, there is no need to ask!
"Yes, this is indeed Masaccio's tempera painting, and there is nothing wrong with the signature!"
"Not only are the signatures highly consistent, the image of the Virgin in this tempera painting is exactly the same as the image in his "Virgin Mary", only the size is different."
While these French guys were yelling, Xiao Ran ordered his employees to dim the lights again.
His purpose in doing this was to protect this ancient tempera painting.
