CHELSEA, NY — A couple with mysterious accents tried to swipe a valuable painting by Jean-Michel Basquiat from a Chelsea art gallery earlier this month, according to police.

The man and woman walked into Taglialatella Galleries on 10th Avenue near West 24th Street — steps away from the High Line — just before 5:30 p.m. on Saturday, May 14, police said.

Once inside, the couple tried to steal a Basquiat painting worth about $45,000, according to police.

The gallery's website shows at least one painting by Basquiat, the legendary New York City street artist who died in 1988, but does not list the value.

Apparently unsuccessful, they left the gallery and were last seen walking north on 10th Avenue near West 28th Street, police said.

Police described both the man and woman as having "an unknown European accent" in a news release on Wednesday.

The woman was described as a blonde in her twenties last seen wearing a navy coat and brown backpack, police said.

The man was about the same age and wore a maroon/gray sweatshirt, black pants, red sneakers and a gray backpack, according to cops.

Police on Wednesday released surveillance footage showing the couple holding hands as they walk along a street near the gallery.

Authorities asked anyone with information to call the NYPD Crime Stoppers Hotline at 1-800-577-TIPS (8477) or for Spanish, 1-888-57-PISTA (74782). People can also submit tips online or on Twitter, @NYPDTips.

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