Recovery of Lost Artworks
Several notable artworks have been recovered and returned to their rightful owners in 2024. Among these is a half-length portrait of Ferdinand VII created by the renowned artist Goya, which was recovered by the Community of Madrid. Another significant recovery is the painting “Bord de mer'” (1865) by Monet, which had been lost since World War II.
The Monet painting was originally acquired by the Austrian Parlagi family in 1936, but it disappeared after the family fled the country in 1938. It resurfaced in 2023 at a gallery in Houston, Texas, and was subsequently identified. The owner, Kevin Schlamp, was unaware of the painting’s history and relinquished his rights, allowing it to be returned to the Parlagi family’s heirs in 2024.
Other recovered artworks include “The Head” by Picasso and “The Man in Prayer” by Marc Chagall, valued at 900,000 euros. These paintings were stolen from an art collector in Tel Aviv 14 years ago but were rediscovered in 2022 when a resident of Namur, Belgium, attempted to sell them. An investigation led to the recovery of the paintings, which were found in the basement of a home in Antwerp, along with a substantial sum of money.
Goya’s Lost Paintings
Goya, a prominent artist, also had some of his works lost over time. A half-length portrait of Ferdinand VII, valued between 15 and 20 million euros, disappeared during the War of Independence (1808-1814) as part of French looting.
After the war, the painting was recovered and given to the Duke of Wellington, but its whereabouts were lost. However, in March 2024, art appraiser Javier Gallego received a call from a lawyer whose client claimed to possess the painting, having acquired it at a legitimate auction. The current owner aims to exhibit the painting in Talavera for at least three years, making it accessible to the public.
Another notable recovery is the painting “In Praise of Makeup” by Edgar Degas. After passing through several owners, it was acquired by the president of Banco Sabadell, Joan Llonch Salas, in 1940, but its location was lost. In early 2024, it was discovered that the work had been sold for 926 euros, a fraction of its true value of 12 million euros, as it was believed to be a forgery. The painting was officially presented at the Ateneo de Madrid in May.
Based on information from Europa Press.