Stolen painting recovered

Press, 31 January 1985, Page 8

Stolen painting recovered

A painting stolen from the Robert McDougall Art Gallery earlier this month was recovered undamaged by the police yesterday morning. “The Fountain” a small painting by William Breakspeare and valued at $3OOO, is likely to be on display again at the gallery within the next few days. “Quite successful” attempts had been made to remove all identification, such as a label and inscription, from the back of the paintingjjsaid the gallery's Neil Roberts.

Staff at the gallery were very happy that the painting, which was stolen on January 6, had been returned.

"The police had apparently received information that the work had been located,” said Mr Roberts.

A police spokesman declined to comment on the recovery of the painting, apart from saying that no evidence had been obtained as to who might have been responsible for the theft. Mr Roberts said that the painting was undamaged. It would be shown a

few days, probably from its old position. The director of the gallery, Mr John Coley, was reviewing security there but it was unlikely that any big changes would be made. Measures might be taken to make it more difficult to remove paintings from the walls, said Mr Roberts. Foot patrols and cameras already provided security at the gallery. The oil painting, which was painted in 1883 and measures 22cm by 13cm, was taken from the wall of the gallery. It is of a

woman leaning over a fountain.

The theft was only the third time that artwork has been taken from the gallery. After the theft, the gallery sent photographs of the painting to dealers throughout New Zealand and some overseas.

Mr Coley said then that he believed the theft was “on impulse.” “The Fountain” was given to the gallery with 26 other paintings when it opened in 1932. The donor was James Jami§spn, a prominent Christjjiurch citizen.