Search for stolen masterpiece by Gustav Klimt resumed after 17 years

The Italian police reopened the case of a painting stolen 17 years ago by Gustav Klimt. The canvas was stolen from a gallery in the city of Piacenza, located in northern Italy. Thanks to new scientific advances, the police hopes to track down the thief by his DNA.

Gustav Klimt’s masterpiece “Portrait of a Woman”, dating from 1916-17, is today one of the most sought after works from a rather extensive list of stolen artifacts held by the Italian police. His theft from the Ricci Oddi contemporary art gallery in February 1997 turned out to be an unexpectedly difficult puzzle for the police. The empty frame found under the ceiling light window of the gallery gave rise to many rumors that thieves "caught" a picture from the Ricci Oddi hall directly from the roof. The canvas was stolen shortly before the announced closing of the gallery for reconstruction.

"Portrait of a Woman", which has been in the collection of the gallery of modern art since 1925, during the overhaul, was to take pride of place at a temporary exhibition in the city Hall. Knowing that the picture should soon be removed from the exposition and transferred to another repository, the guard, noting its disappearance, did not immediately raise an alarm.

Now, it is the frame that can become the key to unraveling the matter, since for all 17 years no traces of the canvas itself have been found. Now, thanks to the latest developments in the field of DNA search, investigators can check a partial fingerprint on the left rail of the frame. According to the Italian news agency Ansa, a forensic analysis will be able to identify one or more suspects from police files.

Gustav Klimt became a legend not only for art lovers, but also for designers. Vivid graphic motifs of his paintings are incredibly popular and are used to decorate a wide variety of products. Reproductions of his paintings and other decorative products can be found in many online stores. The artist’s unusually colorful and expressive paintings will make any interior bright and unique.

Anna Sidorova © Gallerix.ru