Spanish police announced the recovery of a five million euro ($5.4 million) painting by artist Francis Bacon, stolen along with four other works in 2015.
This painting is one of five portraits of Spanish banker Jose Capelo by Bacon, with a total value exceeding 25 million euros ($27 million). The artworks were stolen from Capelo’s Madrid home in July 2015, along with a safe containing coins and jewels, in one of Spain’s largest contemporary art thefts. Police managed to recover three of the five paintings in 2017.
In a statement, police reported the arrest of two individuals suspected of involvement in the theft, which led to the recovery of one of the missing paintings at a property in Madrid.
Since the 2015 theft, police have arrested 16 people, including the mastermind behind the heist and those who executed it, according to the statement.
“Investigations are ongoing to locate the remaining artwork and arrest those currently in possession of it, with a focus on Spanish nationals connected to organized groups from Eastern Europe,” the statement added.
