In the early hours of 7 November 1980, the notorious art thief ‘Erik the Belgian’ stole six Flemish tapestries from a church in northern Spain. Whilst most were recovered later by Interpol, a fragment of one of the tapestries was feared lost until recently.
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Dutch museums support national initiative to return colonial looted artworks
Following a report from the Dutch Council of Culture, several major museums have pledged to repatriate looted artworks in an attempt to rectify historical wrongs. An estimated 100,000 artefacts stolen by colonialists could be subject to restitution.
Continue readingMissing Degas painting found in bus luggage compartment
When customs officials opened the luggage compartment of a bus on a highway just outside Paris they never expected to find a stolen masterpiece on board. Continue reading
Stolen painting returns home to Belfast after 9 years
A painting valued at nearly £20,000, which was stolen from a Belfast home nine years ago has been reunited with its owners.
William Conor’s ‘Bringing in the Turf’ was displayed in the home of the Malpress family for 50 years before it was targeted by thieves. Purchased by Frank and Turid Malpress, it was replaced with a copy to serve as bait after Police Service Northern Ireland (PSNI) alerted the family that thieves were operating in their neighbourhood. Continue reading