Six stolen paintings from the former town hall of Medemblik, Netherlands, have been recovered. The six artworks are currently in the possession of art detective Arthur Brand and will return to the municipality of Medemblik in the near future.
The paintings include portraits of King Radboud, Prince William of Orange, Prince Maurice of Orange, Count John of Nassau, Princess/Queen Wilhelmina, and a biblical depiction. The theft came to light on September 1st when the property's caretaker noticed signs of a break-in.
Councilor Jeroen Broeders is thrilled with the news: "Sometimes you only realize how much something means to you when it's no longer there. That certainly applied to these paintings. We are very grateful for the role played by Arthur Brand. He has once again lived up to his reputation as an 'art detective.'"
The paintings do not appear to have been damaged during their theft and will soon return to the municipality. The plan is to briefly exhibit them during a short exhibition, with the intention of restoring at least King Radboud's portrait. This portrait was scheduled for restoration even before the theft. Ultimately, they will find a permanent home in the municipality, where they will be publicly displayed with ample security. "This will not happen to us again," says Jeroen Broeders, who has become deeply attached to the historical heritage.
Main Image :Portret Radboud
Anna Melnykova, "Palace of Labor (palats praci), architector I. Pretro, 1916", shot with analog Canon camera, 35 mm Fuji film in March 2022.
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