Cops in Germany have released CCTV images of the “striking” brunette who stole a six-figure 1561 Pieter Aertsen oil painting from a museum.

The brazen heist was carried out by the still-unidentified woman at Bielefeld’s Museum Huelsmann during an exhibition on 27th April.

The woman was described in reports as “striking”.

As seen in these newly-released CCTV images, she was wearing a light red jacket, figure-hugging black trousers, high heels and what is thought to be a wig.

Witnesses whom the woman asked for directions would tell the police she spoke Standard German with a pronounced lisp.

She was last caught on CCTV at around 4.55pm. The theft was noticed at around 5pm.

It was initially reported that the woman carried the painting away in a dark A3 folder, but investigators have now said this was not the case.

A police spokeswoman told local media: “Whether she carried it under her briefcase or in a large handbag is not yet entirely clear and is the subject of the investigation.”

Cops initially estimated the woman to be between 22 and 28 years old but have now stated: “She may have optically lowered her actual age through the use of make-up.”

The work she stole is titled ‘Portrait of a Young Woman’ and measures 35.8 by 46.7 centimetres.

It was made with oil on panel by the Northern Mannerist and Amsterdam native Pieter Aertsen (1508-1575).

Aertsen, dubbed Lange Piet (Tall Pete), worked for a long period in Antwerp, which was the centre of artistic life in the Netherlands at the time.

He is credited with the invention of the monumental genre scene, which combines still life and genre painting and often also includes a biblical scene in the background.

Comparable works by the painter are said to have a low six-figure value in euros.

Bielefeld Police have also released an identikit of the suspect and have called on members of the public to come forward with any relevant information.