Caravaggio Painting Stolen from Museum in Odessa Recovered
ODESSA.- Police officers have found the painting Taking of Christ, or the Kiss of Judas which had been stolen from the Museum of Western and Eastern Art in the Black Sea port of Odessa last July, reported "Zérkalo nedeli".
The source also stated that it was informed of the finding of the painting by sources close to the Ministry of the Interior in Ukraine.
Back then, the thieves entered the museum through a window and bypassed the alarm system by removing a window pane instead of breaking it. After taking the work from its frame, the thieves fled through the roof.
The Taking of Christ, or the Kiss of Judas, oil on canvas, measuring 134 X 172.5 centimeters, was painted by the Italian master between 1573 and 1602, even though some sources date it at between 1598 and 1599.
The work of art narrates the arrest of Christ after a night of praying at the foot of the Mount of Olives, representing the figures of Christ and Judas, united by the kiss of betrayal, surrounded by disciples and Roman soldiers.
Caravaggio's application of the chiaroscuro technique shows through on the faces and armour notwithstanding the lack of a visible shaft of light. The figure on the extreme right is a self portrait.
The source also stated that it was informed of the finding of the painting by sources close to the Ministry of the Interior in Ukraine.
Back then, the thieves entered the museum through a window and bypassed the alarm system by removing a window pane instead of breaking it. After taking the work from its frame, the thieves fled through the roof.
The Taking of Christ, or the Kiss of Judas, oil on canvas, measuring 134 X 172.5 centimeters, was painted by the Italian master between 1573 and 1602, even though some sources date it at between 1598 and 1599.
The work of art narrates the arrest of Christ after a night of praying at the foot of the Mount of Olives, representing the figures of Christ and Judas, united by the kiss of betrayal, surrounded by disciples and Roman soldiers.
Caravaggio's application of the chiaroscuro technique shows through on the faces and armour notwithstanding the lack of a visible shaft of light. The figure on the extreme right is a self portrait.
Art Hostage comments:
Ten out of ten for the Art Daily reporting this before anyone else.
Art Hostage heard about a deal in the works and it proves to be correct.
A certain Underworld Godfather facilitated this recovery and the details may emerge later.
No cheap media headline announcing arrests, no undercover stings,at this stage, just the good news the Caravaggio has been recovered.
O'h how I await the news the Gardner art, Vermeer in particular has been recovered in this manner, from a Catholic Church confession box to add drama.
You see high value stolen art can be returned without arrests, reward can be offered, in many ways, each case has to be taken on an individual basis.
I strongly urge anyone contemplating returning the stolen Gardner art to make contact with Anthony Amore, Director of Security, directly at:
Boston 617-278-5114 or theft@gardnermuseum.org .
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Update:
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It appears the thief has been found dead and the circumstances of his death have not been revealed as yet.
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However, it seems powerful people declared an interest in the stolen Caravaggio and the thief paid with his life in order for others to fruit from his criminal labour.
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They don't mess around out in Ukraine and once the Underworld got in on the act the original thief''s days were numbered.
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It was feared the thief could reveal who ordered the theft and who was pulling the strings behind the scenes.
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Make no mistake big bucks and political favours have been handed out.
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More to follow................
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Update 2
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Well, old Nikolai Ponomarenko the art collector from Jarkov, thought of as the handler/negotiator of the Caravaggio, gets himself killed by a 28 year old assassin, perhaps the original thief, or an associate, thinking they were being set up, doubts are being raised about the actual recovery of the Caravaggio, all part of the Odessa File, so to speak.
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Perhaps authorities are keeping the Caravaggio under wraps until the mess is sorted out, what with old Nikolai getting murdered.
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Sting gone wrong ??????????
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more to follow............................
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Update 3
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It now appears that Police stopped one of the suspected Caravaggio art gang and recovered five stolen artworks in his car worth about 3 million, not the Caravaggio.
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After putting pressure on the arrested man they mounted an undercover operation to recover the Caravaggio.
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Poor old Nikolai Ponomarenko got involved and was exposed by the bad guys and killed. Police have however, recovered a landscape painting with Sheep and they are trying to trace its origin.
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As to the Caravaggio, it remains in the Underworld, or under wraps in Police custody ??
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