A painting by Pieter Brueghel the Younger, which was stolen more than half a century ago from the Gdańsk National Museum in Poland, has been found at the Gouda Museum in the Netherlands, both the Dutch institution and detective Arthur Brand confirmed on Monday.
The recovery of the artwork was first reported by De Telegraaf newspaper.
The small painting, with a diameter of 17 centimetres, dates back to the 17th century. It depicts a peasant woman holding a bucket filled with water in one hand and hot coals in the other, illustrating an old proverb about mistrust.
The painting had been in Gdańsk since 1944. Although it was hard to be absolutely certainy, Mr. Brand stated that the piece was not listed as looted property. “One can never be completely sure, but at the time, it wasn’t declared stolen," he said.
When questioned about the painting’s value, Mr Brand remained cautious. “Some works fetch millions, but this one is relatively small. Nevertheless, it is a Brueghel, and it’s among the most sought-after artworks in Poland.”
The theft was fortuitously discovered when a maintenance worker accidentally knocked the frame, revealing that the original had been replaced with a simple reproduction.
An article in the art magazine Vind led Mr Brand to the discovery. After consulting the archives of the Polish museum, he was able to conclusively identify the artwork displayed in Gouda as the one stolen more than half a century ago.
The current Dutch owners, who inherited it, were unaware of its fraudulent origins. The Gouda museum asserts it acted in good faith, as the painting did not appear in any stolen-art registries.
