Rare painting by John Opie found after half a century of theft

The painting "The Schoolmistress" by British artist John Opie has been returned to its rightful owner after more than 50 years. (Photo: CNN)

A painting titled “The Schoolmistress” by British artist John Opie that was stolen in New Jersey (USA) in 1969 has been returned to its owner’s family after more than half a century of wandering.

The painting “The Schoolmistress”, 102cm high and 127cm wide, painted in 1784, is a “sister” to a similar work currently on display at the Tate Britain gallery in London.

According to the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), Dr. Earl Wood bought the painting “The Schoolmistress” for $7,500 during the Great Depression of the 1930s.

The painting was then stolen and illegally sold.

The FBI recovered the painting during its investigation into the case and returned it to Dr. Earl Wood's son, Dr. Francis Wood, 96, of Newark, New Jersey, on January 11.

FBI Special Agent Gary France, who is in charge of the case, said the artwork has a very special history.

The painting “The Schoolmistress” was once owned by several families in England, then brought to America and sold during the Great Depression of the 1930s.

John Opie was one of the most important British portrait and history painters of his time.

Many of his works have been sold at major auction houses such as Sotheby's and Christie's, including a painting that sold for nearly $1 million in 2007.

VNA

Source: http://www.baovanhoa.vn/the-gioi/artmid/425/articleid/74328/tim-thay-buc-tranh-quy-cua-danh-hoa-john-opie-sau-nua-the-ky-bi-danh-cap