In 1973, a painting representing the Virgin and child Italian painter Antonio Solario (1465-1530) was stolen from the Musei Civici di Belluno (Italy). Italian police had lost her mark until a woman named Barbara de Dozsa tried to sell him a few years ago, during an auction in Great Britain. She claims that her deceased husband bought her in good faith in 1973. The work was preserved until their divorce in their 16th century home in Norfolk. It is estimated at € 100,000.
The table put on sale was identified by a person in relation to the Musei Civici di Belluno, who recognized the stolen work of Antonio Solario which appeared on the research lists of Interpol and the Italian Cabinieri. However, the COVVID prevented the Italian authorities from providing the necessary documents for the British police and the table was therefore returned to Barbara de Dozsa in 2020.
Christopher Marinello, an expert in stolen paintings and founder of Recovery International art, had then tried to convince Barbara de Dozsa to return the painting to the city of Belluno: “It was the right thing to do”he explained to Guardian. But in order not to have to return it, Barbara de Dozsa invoked a law on the prescription of 1980, which stipulates that whoever buys stolen goods can be recognized as a legal owner if the purchase “Was not linked to theft”after more than six years.
British police said Barbara de Dozsa has not committed a crime and that this is a civil affair. Barbara de Dozsa now refuses to cooperate unless “To be paid at the high price of the work”but she can never sell the table. No sales house will take the risk of auctioning it. “The carabinieri saved it in their database. If this painting is found in Italy, it will be seized “ told Christopher Marinello to The Guardian.
