Two works of art, by Gauguin and Bonnard, were recovered in Sicily and unveiled by Italy’s Culture Ministry yesterday. The man in possession of the works was clueless of the history.
After they were stolen from a home in London in 1970, they were abandoned on a train traveling from Paris to Turin. Upon arrival, they were placed into the railway’s lost and found storage and eventually auctioned a few years later. It was at this auction the man shelled out 45,000 Italian lire (approximately $30) for the two paintings, but he truly had no idea what he had his hands on. The Gauguin alone is estimated to be worth between 10-30 million euros!
Authorities are still working out what will be done with the works as the couple they were stolen from have passed away leaving no heirs.
Stolen Gauguin, Bonnard art recovered after hanging on a kitchen wall