Madrid thieves snatch masterpieces

The theft happened in an exclusive neighbourhood of Madrid

Thieves knocked on the door of one of the world's wealthiest women - and made off with 14 works of art.

The robbers called at the home of businesswoman Esther Koplowitz, in the upmarket neighbourhood of Chamartin in Madrid, and attacked a guard who answered the door, said Spanish press.

Then they bound and gagged the guard before grabbing their haul.

Among the paintings taken were two by Spanish artist Francisco de Goya - The Donkey's Fall and The Swing - and a work by French impressionist Camille Pisarro, called Eragny Landscape.

Ms Koplowitz was on holiday at the time of the theft.

Reward offered

Spanish news agency Efe says investigators have not ruled out an inside job since the paintings were piled in a single room at the house which was undergoing construction work at the time.

A major shareholder in one of Spain's leading construction companies, Ms Koplowitz is estimated to be worth about 200bn pesetas ($1bn), according to Forbes magazine.

Ms Koplowitz has offered a reward for any clues leading to the recovery of the stolen paintings, which also include Guitar on a Chair, by Juan Gris, and Flemish master Pieter Brueghel's The Temptations of St Antonio.

Spanish police have not revealed the full value of the haul.