Chapter 4 takes readers through the formative years of Stéphane Guillaume Frédéric Breitwieser, offering insights into his early fascination with history and artifacts. This passion was ignited by his grandfather’s frequent expeditions, during which they searched for pottery shards and arrowheads, relics of a bygone era. Growing up in Alsace, a region constantly navigating its complex historical identity between French and German influences, Breitwieser’s childhood adventures would become the cornerstone of his lifelong obsession with antiquities. His connection to the past, which began with these childhood excursions, evolved into an overwhelming compulsion for historical objects.

Raised in the small French town of Wittenheim, Breitwieser lived in a household where art and antiques were woven into the very fabric of his upbringing. The house was filled with relics, including paintings by the celebrated Alsatian expressionist Robert Breitwieser, a distant relative. This environment, steeped in cultural and artistic significance, cultivated in him a deep reverence for history, though it also accentuated his feelings of inadequacy. As the only grandchild in the family, Breitwieser was showered with affection and material possessions, including coins, tools, and other historical items. These gifts, however, did little to alleviate the growing emotional distance he felt from his peers. The other children in his town were drawn to modern forms of entertainment, while Breitwieser, instead, immersed himself in the world of artifacts. Over time, this left him isolated, struggling with social anxiety and depression, feeling disconnected from his contemporaries.

At home, the discord between Breitwieser and his authoritarian father added to the tension in the household. His father’s domineering presence only exacerbated the emotional turmoil, especially as arguments became more frequent and intense. These strained dynamics were intensified when his father left shortly after Breitwieser graduated in 1991, leading to a dramatic shift in their financial circumstances. With his father’s departure, Breitwieser faced a new kind of hardship—one that was not only financial but emotional as well. This shift in lifestyle, combined with his internal turmoil, led him to a destructive coping mechanism: shoplifting. What began as minor incidents soon escalated, as he sought a way to regain control over his increasingly chaotic life. His encounters with law enforcement were minor but marked the beginning of a much darker path that would define his adult years.

In the midst of these personal upheavals, Breitwieser found an unexpected solace in the world of museums and galleries. The quiet contemplation offered by these spaces allowed him to escape from the pressures of daily life. Unlike most visitors who viewed the exhibits from a distance, he felt a personal connection to the objects on display. For him, the idea of owning these artifacts took on a more profound meaning. His first theft, which involved a small metal piece from an ancient Roman coffin, seemed less like a crime and more like a means of preserving history. In his mind, these artifacts were his to protect and cherish, rather than be locked away in a museum.

As his obsession with collecting grew stronger, Breitwieser began to justify his actions with an increasingly convoluted rationale. To him, the theft of art and relics was a necessary act, a preservation of history that modern society failed to appreciate. Unlike typical criminals, who might steal for financial gain, Breitwieser was driven by a desire to own tangible pieces of the past. This compulsion brought him a sense of fulfillment that he was unable to find in human relationships. His growing collection, though illicit, offered him a sense of power and control that the rest of his life lacked. Yet, just as his isolated existence seemed unbreakable, a romantic relationship entered his life, challenging his worldview in unexpected ways. The emergence of love added a new layer of complexity to his character, shifting his priorities and setting the stage for a deeper exploration of his motivations and desires in the narrative that follows.

Through these experiences, Chapter 4 paints a portrait of a man whose love for history and art gradually transforms into an obsession. What begins as an innocent fascination with relics and artifacts becomes a driving force that shapes his identity and actions. The chapter not only explores Breitwieser’s early influences but also delves into the emotional struggles that accompany his development. As the story unfolds, his character continues to evolve, offering a unique glimpse into the mind of someone whose desire for art and history leads him down a path of theft and deceit. The complexities of his character, marked by contradictions and emotional depth, ensure that his journey is one that will captivate readers as it continues to unravel.