Rome: From Spain to the Capital. Artworks Stolen from Madrid and Barcelona Art Galleries Recovered

«…Today we are what our identity, our art, our culture allow us to be… in this moment of meeting that seals, once again, this great brotherhood between our two countries. With great pride we return to the Kingdom of Spain “its beauties, its art and its culture…»

They are the words that the Police Chief Massucci he addressed the morning of11 February atSpanish Ambassador in Italy, His Excellency Miguel Fernandez Palacios, At the restitution of two paintings and a bronze sculpture in high relief, found in April 2024, following an operation by the Flying Squad which had allowed the arrest of accused of the murder of 2 citizens of South American origin, intercepted in Casal dei Pazzi with two large suitcases, inside which were the precious canvases and sculptures were hidden.

Thanks to the collaboration of the International Police Cooperation Officesand Brigada de Patrimonio Històrico de la Policìa Nacional, and delle Spanish Authorities, including the General Directorate of Beautiful Arts and Heritage, it was found that the works of art found had been stolen on 2 separate occasions: in particular, the paintings “Port of San Sebastián“, oil on cardboard by the author Joaquin Sorolla Bastida and "White horse with cart“, oil on canvas by the author Hermenegildo Anglada Camarasa had been robbed, in May 2021, from an art exhibition set up at theHotel Angel Miguel Madrid, to the detriment of the "Lorenart Gallery“, While the bronze sculpture in high relief, wax cast by the author Javier Martin had been taken from the art gallery “N2 Gallery” of Barcelona in 2022.

On Tuesday 11 February, the artworks were entrusted to theSpanish Ambassador, who will deliver them into the hands of their rightful owners.

A delivery that symbolizes the fundamental role of art and culture in connecting and inunite institutions and people and how every art form represents a universal language which is able to express emotions, thoughts and traditions, transcending linguistic and cultural barriers.