Anti-Mafia police in Naples have recovered two Van Gogh paintings stolen in 2002 from the Van Gogh Museum in Amsterdam.
“Seascape at Scheveningen” and “Congregation leaving the Reformed Church in Nuenen” were in fairly good condition but show signs of some damage, the museum said.
“The curator who inspected the authenticity and provenance of the works at the request of the Italian Public Prosecutions Department drew a firm conclusion: they are the real paintings!” the museum said.
Italian officials said that the whereabouts of the paintings had come to light during an investigation into a drug trafficking ring led by a clan of the Camorra, Naples’ dominant organised crime network.
Dario Franceschini, the Italian culture minister, said the investigation confirmed that criminal groups used art work “both as an investment and a source of financing”.
Two Dutch nationals were jailed in 2004 for the theft of the Van Gogh paintings, which were taken by thieves who entered the museum through its roof and used a rope to make their getaway.
According to the museum, the Italian investigation is continuing. It is not yet known whether arrests have been made.
“After all those years you no longer dare to count on a possible return,” said Axel Rüger, museum director.
The museum said the historical value of the paintings was huge.
“Contrary to our expectations, the stolen paintings appear to be in relatively good condition. It is unknown where the works were kept after the theft in 2002, but it can be assumed that the paintings were not preserved under suitable conditions.
(Published by Financial Times - September 30, 2016)