30 September 2016
NAPLES -- Two Van Gogh paintings, View of the Sea at Scheveningen and Congregation Leaving the Reformed Church in Nuenen, stolen in 2002, have been recovered in Italy. The art works were found in Castellammare di Stabia, near Pompeii. They were in the possession of the Amato-Pagano clan, a well known branch of the mafia.
The two paintings were stolen from the Van Gogh Museum in Amsterdam on the evening of 7 December 2002. Eventually two people were arrested for the theft, but the paintings themselves didn't turn up. The recovery of the paintings comes after a lengthy investigation. The authenticity of the works has been confirmed and slight damage has been noted on the seascape painting. The works will remain in Italy at least for the time being while legal charges are filed.
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