WASHINGTON (AP) - An expert on art thefts says the Baltimore Museum of Art likely has a strong case to reclaim a Renoir painting that was stolen in 1951 and turned up recently at a West Virginia flea market.
Former FBI investigator Robert Wittman says the painting’s dimensions and composition are key in matching it to a stolen piece.
A woman bought the painting for $7 at the flea market and it was expected to fetch $75,000 at a now-postponed auction.
Museum officials were combing through paper records Friday to learn more about the theft nearly 61 years ago. So far, they have found a record documenting the painting was on loan from art patron Saidie A. May.
It’s the only record they’ve found of the painting being stolen while on exhibition.
By Andrew P. Napolitano
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