Breitwieser and Anne-Catherine go on a ski trip, funded by Breitwieser’s grandparents, and they stop at Gruyères Castle to visit the museum.
Breitwieser often picks up museum brochures and art magazines and makes a mental note of artworks he wants to see.
If the conditions are right, Breitwieser proceeds to steal an artwork that he finds inspiring, following his instincts for the escape route.
During their visit to the Gruyères Castle, Breitwieser becomes enthralled by a small oil portrait by eighteenth-century German realist Christian Wilhelm Ernst Dietrich.
Breitwieser often experiences intense reactions to art, similar to Stendhal syndrome, which involves overwhelming physical and emotional responses to viewing great artworks.
Art-related overwhelm, or Stendhal syndrome, is not officially recognized as a psychological condition.
Some people believe Breitwieser’s talk of Stendhal syndrome is merely a glorified form of kleptomania.
Michel Schmidt, a Psychotherapist, disagrees with the kleptomania theory, stating that Breitwieser is selective about the items he steals, indicating they have significant personal value to him.
At Gruyères Castle, upon finding no guards or security cameras around the Dietrich portrait, and getting consent from Anne-Catherine, Breitwieser steals the painting.
They stash the artwork in a suitcase and drive off to continue their ski trip, admiring the stolen piece along the way. This is their third theft as a couple and the first painting they have taken.