Art
Dutch art detective recovers stolen Vincent van Gogh painting
Van Gogh’s 1884 Parsonage Garden at Nuenen in Spring was brazenly taken from a museum during COVID-19 lockdown in a midnight robbery.
A Vincent van Gogh painting – stolen from a museum at midnight during an audacious robbery three years ago – has been found by an art detective in the Netherlands.
Arthur Brand, dubbed the “Indiana Jones of the Art World” for locating a series of lost high-profile artworks, said recovering the 19th-century oil painting was “one of the greatest moments of my life”.
“We have incredible good news. The painting ‘Spring Garden’ … is back with the Groninger Museum three and half years after the theft,” the museum said in a statement.
The Dutch police arts crime unit confirmed the 1884 Parsonage Garden at Nuenen in Spring painting, worth 3 to 6 million euros ($3.2-6.4m), had been found.
“Arthur Brand, in cooperation with the Dutch police, has solved this matter,” officer Richard Bronswijk said. “This is definitely the real one, there’s no doubt about it.”
The painting was stolen from the Singer Laren Museum near Amsterdam on March 30, 2020. In a video released by police, a suspect was shown smashing through a glass door in the middle of the night before running out with the painting under his right arm.
In April 2021, police arrested a man named Nils for the theft, and he was later convicted and sentenced to eight years in prison. He was also convicted of stealing another artwork by Frans Hals, called Two Laughing Boys, in a separate heist.
Brand said he heard “from a source in the criminal world who had bought the van Gogh” from Nils.
That person was identified in Dutch media as Peter Roy K, who is currently behind bars for a separate case involving the large-scale import and export of cocaine, Brand said. Roy wanted to use the famous painting as collateral to negotiate a reduction in his sentence.
‘A massive headache’
But the whereabouts of the painting remained a mystery until two weeks ago when an unnamed man contacted Brand saying he wanted to return it.
After some negotiation, Brand persuaded the man who had “nothing to do with the theft” to hand back the masterpiece.
“The man told me, ‘I want to return the van Gogh. It has caused a massive headache.’ In an operation done in close coordination with the Dutch police, we got the painting back,” he said.
Brand is also responsible for recovering other famous stolen art, including Hitler’s Horses bronze statues, a Picasso painting, and a ring that once belonged to Oscar Wilde.
The painting – which comes from early on in van Gogh’s career before he began his trademark post-impressionist paintings, including Sunflowers – has been handed back to the director of the Groninger Museum, from where it was on loan to the Singer Karen Museum.
The artwork depicts the garden of the rectory at Nuenen, the small Dutch town where van Gogh’s parents lived.
“The painting has suffered but – at first sight – it is in good shape,” the Groninger Museum said.
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The Courtauld Gallery at Somerset House has reopened its doors to the public after a fire swept through the historic building in central London. While the gallery has resumed operations, the rest of the iconic site remains closed “until further notice.”
On Saturday, approximately 125 firefighters were called to the scene to battle the blaze, which sent smoke billowing across the city. Fortunately, the fire occurred in a part of the building not housing valuable artworks, and no injuries were reported. Authorities are still investigating the cause of the fire.
Despite the disruption, art lovers queued outside the gallery before it reopened at 10:00 BST on Sunday. One visitor expressed his relief, saying, “I was sad to see the fire, but I’m relieved the art is safe.”
The Clark family, visiting London from Washington state, USA, had a unique perspective on the incident. While sightseeing on the London Eye, they watched as firefighters tackled the flames. Paul Clark, accompanied by his wife Jiorgia and their four children, shared their concern for the safety of the artwork inside Somerset House. “It was sad to see,” Mr. Clark told the BBC. As a fan of Vincent Van Gogh, he was particularly relieved to learn that the painter’s famous Self-Portrait with Bandaged Ear had not been affected by the fire.
Blaze in the West Wing
The fire broke out around midday on Saturday in the west wing of Somerset House, a section of the building primarily used for offices and storage. Jonathan Reekie, director of Somerset House Trust, assured the public that “no valuable artefacts or artworks” were located in that part of the building. By Sunday, fire engines were still stationed outside as investigations into the fire’s origin continued.
About Somerset House
Located on the Strand in central London, Somerset House is a prominent arts venue with a rich history dating back to the Georgian era. Built on the site of a former Tudor palace, the complex is known for its iconic courtyard and is home to the Courtauld Gallery. The gallery houses a prestigious collection from the Samuel Courtauld Trust, showcasing masterpieces from the Middle Ages to the 20th century. Among the notable works are pieces by impressionist legends such as Edouard Manet, Claude Monet, Paul Cézanne, and Vincent Van Gogh.
Somerset House regularly hosts cultural exhibitions and public events, including its popular winter ice skating sessions in the courtyard. However, for now, the venue remains partially closed as authorities ensure the safety of the site following the fire.
Art lovers and the Somerset House community can take solace in knowing that the invaluable collection remains unharmed, and the Courtauld Gallery continues to welcome visitors, offering a reprieve amid the disruption.
Sudbury’s annual art and music festival is marking a significant milestone this year, celebrating its long-standing impact on the local cultural scene. The festival, which has grown from a small community event to a major celebration of creativity, brings together artists, musicians, and visitors from across the region for a weekend of vibrant performances and exhibitions.
The event features a diverse range of activities, from live music performances to art installations, workshops, and interactive exhibits that highlight both emerging and established talent. This year’s milestone celebration will also honor the festival’s history by showcasing some of the artists and performers who have contributed to its success over the years.
Organizers are excited to see how the festival has evolved, becoming a cornerstone of Sudbury’s cultural landscape. “This festival is a celebration of creativity, community, and the incredible talent we have here in Sudbury,” said one of the event’s coordinators. “It’s amazing to see how it has grown and the impact it continues to have on the arts community.”
With this year’s milestone celebration, the festival promises to be bigger and better than ever, with a full lineup of exciting events, workshops, and performances that will inspire and engage attendees of all ages.
The festival’s milestone is not just a reflection of its past success but a celebration of the continued vibrancy of Sudbury’s arts scene.
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