Latest news with #BarbaradeDozsa
Euronews
6 days ago
- Euronews
British woman returns Italian Renaissance painting stolen 52 years ago
Antonio Solario's 'Madonna and Child', a long-sought after Italian Renaissance masterpiece has finally returned home to the Civic Museum of Belluno after more than 50 years. But, in order for it to complete its journey, the painting's British owner, Barbara de Dozsa, needed a lot of convincing that it was "the right thing to do" as the 16th-century oil painting was stolen from the museum in 1973. De Dozsa, who inherited the canvas from her late ex-husband, had initially refused to return it, despite it being on Interpol's stolen art database ever since the heist. She was eventually persuaded to hand it back by Christopher Marinello, a lawyer and founder of Art Recovery International, who specialises in the recovery of looted art. 'When it comes to returning stolen art and doing the right thing, I can be annoyingly persistent', said Marinello, who has been widely described as the art world's Sherlock Holmes. The artwork's unconditional release was ultimately 'Barbara de Dozsa's decision to make, and she chose wisely', he said in a statement. Marinello's family originated from the Veneto region, where Belluno is located. He handled the negotiations with de Dozsa on a pro bono basis. 'Her kindness has restored my faith in people who unknowingly come into possession of stolen or looted works of art.' Antonio Solario was trained in Venice and worked during the first two decades of the 16th century. His work is exhibited across Europe, including at the National Gallery in London. The Civic Museum of Belluno originally acquired his 'Madonna and Child' in 1872 among other works that were stolen a century later. De Dosza's former husband, the late Baron de Dozsa, bought the painting in 1973, soon after the robbery. Not knowing where it was from, he brought it back to his Norfolk estate in England. Its whereabouts were unknown until Barbara de Dozsa tried to sell it at a regional auction house in 2017. She claimed ownership based on the UK Limitations Act of 1980, which states that a person who buys stolen goods can be recognised as the legal owner after six years, if the purchase was unrelated to the theft. 'Nonsense', said Marinello, who claimed the painting's listing on stolen art databases meant it could 'never be sold, exhibited, or even transported without the risk of being seized.' Une publication partagée par MUBEL Musei Civici di Belluno (@museo_belluno) Belluno welcomed the Solario's ultimate return with joy. 'Today is a day of celebration', the town's mayor Oscar de Pellegrin said in an Instagram post. In a statement, the museum praised Barbara de Dozsa's 'good faith.' The Civic Museum of Belluno will exhibit the 'Madonna and Child' until 27 July. It will then be removed to undergo restoration work.
The Independent
11-03-2025
- The Independent
Norfolk woman refuses to hand over stolen 16th-century Italian painting
A 16th-century painting stolen more than 50 years ago has been found — and is now at the centre of a custody battle between a widow in Norfolk and a small Italian museum. 'Madonna and Child' by Antonio Solario was taken in 1973 from the civic museum in the town of Belluno in the Dolomite mountains of northern Italy. Sometime later it was bought by Baron de Dozsa and taken to his Tudor manor house in eastern England, according to Christopher Marinello, a lawyer who specialises in recovering stolen and looted artworks. It is now in the possession of Barbara de Dozsa, his former wife. Marinello has vowed to return the painting to Belluno, where his family has roots. 'I have a family connection to this region, and I decided I was going to stick my 2 cents' in and interfere,' said Marinello, whose company Art Recovery International has helped track down works by artists including Henri Matisse and Henry Moore and return them to their rightful owners. But in this quest, he has so far been frustrated. Marinello said Tuesday that de Dozsa has declined to give up the painting, despite telling him 'she never really liked it.' 'She doesn't hang it – it reminds her of her ex-husband,' he said. De Dozsa did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Marinello said the painting's rediscovery began when Barbara de Dozsa tried to sell it through an auction house in a few years ago, and it was recognised as a stolen artwork. The local police force, Norfolk Constabulary, was called in but eventually returned the painting to de Dozsa. The force told the AP it had been advised by authorities to give the artwork back because 'several years have passed and there has been no response from Italian authorities in relation to the investigation.' Norfolk police said they are not currently investigating the case. Paintings by Solario, who worked across Italy in the early 16th century, have sold at auction for several hundred thousand dollars. Marinello said the 'Madonna and Child' is probably worth less than £100,000. 'It's not a Rembrandt,' he said, but added: 'It has a value beyond its monetary value. 'Solario was from the area so it's very important to the people of Belluno.'
