Stolen Picasso and Chagall paintings worth £700,000 found in Antwerp basement
The two works were stolen from an art collector’s home in Tel Aviv in 2010
Your support helps us to tell the story
This election is still a dead heat, according to most polls. In a fight with such wafer-thin margins, we need reporters on the ground talking to the people Trump and Harris are courting. Your support allows us to keep sending journalists to the story.
The Independent is trusted by 27 million Americans from across the entire political spectrum every month. Unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock you out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. But quality journalism must still be paid for.
Help us keep bring these critical stories to light. Your support makes all the difference.
Belgian police have found stolen Picasso and Chagall paintings in a basement in the city of Antwerp, local authorities have said.
Investigators from Belgium’s federal judicial police have established that the artworks are Marc Chagall’s The Man in Prayer, signed in 1970, and Pablo Picasso’s Head, dated 1971. The paintings were stolen from an art collector in Tel Aviv, Israel, in 2010 and are worth $900,000 (£711,000).
At the time of the theft, $680.000 worth of jewelry was stolen as well but only the paintings have been found.
Local police, who say the paintings are still in good condition, started an investigation when a source informed them that a Belgian national was offering both artworks for sale. The investigation finally led officers to Antwerp, where the two paintings were discovered in a cellar.
The local prosecutor said the main suspect has been arrested and charged with receiving stolen paintings.
Reuters
Subscribe to Independent Premium to bookmark this article
Want to bookmark your favourite articles and stories to read or reference later? Start your Independent Premium subscription today.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments