[Global News] Treasures lost for decades re-appear

[editgal]

Treasures lost for decades re-appear after bought at a fraction of their worth
By Plantarr
Global News

After 43 years, two paintings have surfaced as those stolen from the British home of Sir Mark Kennedy in the 1970s.

These masterpieces, known as Peter Gaugin's "Still life of fruit on a table with a small dog", and Pierre Bonnard's "Woman with two chairs," were reported to have been abducted and later abandoned on an Italian train.

The Italian government, unaware of the theft, had taken the items and placed them in the Lost and Found department of the National Railway, where they were eventually put up for auction 1975.

At this time, the masterpieces were bought by an unnamed "lover of art" for only $25.

The man had kept the paintings in his kitchen, but the commotion arose when his son tried to sell the paintings when the man retired last year.

Appraisals valued the two paintings at around $50 million, and to this, many concerns were raised.

Authorities began to question the legality of these paintings and after months of research, they were able to trace the paintings to the 1970 theft.

As stolen art, the man who bought the paintings would sadly have no partake in the claim, but hope is raised when now yet another discovery has been made.

When Sir Mark Kennedy and his wife died, they sadly left no heir to this tremendous unearthing, leaving the question of ownership.

Now, a full four decades later, authorities are planning to return the masterpieces to the family, and undo the damage the theft made so many years ago.

[Plantarr]

Some Pictures:



"Still Life of Fruit on a Table with a Small Dog"





"Woman with Two Chairs"





The two, together