An Old Master painting by Titian, “Rest on the Flight into Egypt,” was stolen from an English country house in 1995. The painting, which belonged to a British noble family, caused distress to the owners. In 2002, it was recovered at a bus stop after a tip-off, thanks to the efforts of Charles Hill, a former Scotland Yard detective who had offered a £100,000 reward for information leading to its recovery. Hill located the painting in a red, white, and blue shopping bag at the bus stop in west London.
The sale of the Titian painting recently set a record at Christie’s auction house when it went for £17.5 million. This incident highlights how stolen artwork can maintain its value and desirability over time. Despite initial reports that the painting was worth £5 million, it sold for significantly more than expected due to its unique nature and desirability in the art market. The complexities of recovering stolen artwork are further emphasized by this case, highlighting the significant role that recovery efforts play in maintaining the value and integrity of art collections.
