An 18th century oil painting stolen from a London museum almost 50 years ago and taken to the US has been returned after a joint operation between the Met and the FBI.
The painting of Rear Admiral Charles Fanshawe will go back on display at Valence House in Dagenham later this month after it was brought home last week. Officers from the Met’s art and antiques unit contacted the FBI’s art crime team after the painting was spotted going up for auction in Philadelphia.
It was one of six family portraits looted during a burglary at Valence House in 1971. The Fanshawe family set up a Google alert to let them know if it was going on sale and in January got a notification that the painting was listed for auction, valued at about $3,000 (£2,500).
Museum curator Leeanne Westwood told the Standard: “It’s amazing to have it back.”
Barking and Dagenham deputy council leader Saima Ashraf said: “We look forward to being able to share this piece with residents once again.”
