The Titian painting, “Rest on the Flight into Egypt,” was among several stolen works from an English country house in 1995. The Venetian Old Master’s masterpiece was discovered at a bus stop in 2002 after a tip-off, leading to its return. This early work by Titian set a record high price of £17.5 million when it was sold at Christie’s, marking a significant moment in the art world.
The painting, part of a noble British family’s collection, had been stolen from their country house, Longleat, and remained in their possession until its theft in 1995. It was found in a shopping bag at a bus stop in west London by Charles Hill, a former Scotland Yard detective who offered a £100,000 reward for information leading to its recovery.
Despite initial reports valuing the painting at £5 million, the recent sale exceeded expectations with Christie’s estimating a price range of £15 million to £25 million. The recovery of stolen art continues to surprise experts and captivate the public. Similar instances of stolen art being found in unexpected locations, like a trash bag or an Ikea bag, shed light on the fascinating and sometimes mysterious world of art theft and recovery.
The sale of this rare piece by Titian marked a significant milestone for both the artist and the art world as it set a new high price for early works by him. It also highlighted the challenges of selling famous stolen artwork as Charles Hill had to offer upwards of £100k for information leading to its return.
The discovery of this masterpiece at such an unusual location brought attention to the complexities involved in recovering stolen artworks. As more cases come forward with similar stories, we are reminded that even though these crimes may seem impossible to solve, there is always hope that they will be uncovered and returned to their rightful owners.
Overall, this story serves as proof that no matter where you live or work, everyone has something valuable that they cherish deeply. Whether it’s an artwork or any other prized possession, it’s important not only to protect it but also to help others find their lost treasures if they happen upon them too.
