Art on the Lam
by Kimberly Stevens
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Aunt Eva and Mom, Circa 1917
Priscilla Souder
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So what do you do when you come home one night, only to find your turf has
been ransacked by art thieves, and there is a gaping hole over the fireplace
where the prize portrait of your Aunt Nellie hung just hours before?
Enter Art Loss Register.
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The New York office of Art Loss Register is directed by Anna Kisluk and a
staff of six other Sherlock Holmes types who make it their business to
recover stolen works of art. They also recover rare books, furniture,
jewelry and musical instruments, although art is their main focus.
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Rare Books
Richard Curtis
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The firm's database contains over 100,000 stolen items, the largest commercial
listing of stolen and missing art and other ''uniquely identifiable" items.
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The majority of art is stolen from people's homes, galleries, museums and then churches. They have even noticed a rise in thefts of cemetery urns fountains and sculptures. Though the company has had its share of high profile finds, a Manet and a de Kooning, most of the listing consists of lesser-known works.
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Second Portuguese Jewish Cemetery
Gregory Frux
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Country Museum USA, NY
Gregory Baydiuk
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So who uses the register?
Auction houses like Sotheby's and Christie's, insurance companies and museums, the police and the FBI as well as average consumers. The register has helped to recover over 900 items worth
over $75 million dollars! They also have a listing of stolen works from theft victims, with detailed descriptions.
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Next time you find yourself involved in an art caper, you know who to call!
www.artloss.com (new window)
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Read our archived Art in the News |
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