XC

He differs from most other art thieves in that he did not steal for any profit motive.^[3] He was a self-described art connoisseur who stole in order to build a vast personal collection, particularly of 16th and 17th century masters. At his trial, the magistrate quoted him as saying, "I enjoy art. I love such works of art. I collected them and kept them at home." Despite the immensity of his collection, he was still able to recall every piece he stole. He interrupted the lengthy reading of his collection during his trial several times to correct various details.^[3]

Around 110 pieces from his collection have been recovered, leaving another 60 unaccounted for, presumed destroyed. His collection included: (* for those that are presumed destroyed, ** for those that are known to be destroyed)

• Pieter Brueghel the Younger - Cheat Profiting From His Master**, cut with scissors
• Antoine Watteau - Two Men*
• François Boucher - Sleeping Shepherd**, which Breitwieser kept by his pillow and his mother put in the garbage disposal^[4]
• Corneille de Lyon - Madeleine of France, Queen of Scotland**, garbage disposal
• David Teniers - The Monkey's Ball**, shredded with scissors

A Swiss police officer said, "[N]ever have so many old masters been destroyed at the same time."