(The state-run museum at the prison makes little mention of Jews.)

The painting, donated in 1993 to the Museum of Fine Arts, one of eight state-run museums in New Mexico, was taken on Tuesday.

"The storms of 1999, however, have forced everyone's hand," said Hubert Astier, the president of the state-run museum and park.

Since 1962 it is a state-run museum.

The new complex is the largest center of Jewish culture in Europe, rivaled in historic fascination only by the state-run museum in Prague.

From November to March, admission to all state-run museums and sites is free on Sundays.

This state-run museum has exhibition spaces in Munich, Nuremberg and Weiden in der Oberpfalz.

As a state-run museum, Nieborow could do with a little polishing, but the grace of a once-splendid family palace is still evident, and its gardens are truly romantic.

Three guards were suspended pending an investigation, but Mr. Seipel's offer on Monday to resign from the state-run museum was rejected by Austria's education and culture minister.

In June 2000 Russia's Culture Ministry, which oversees all state-run museums, signed an agreement on coverage with six leading Russian insurers.