In a fascinating twist of fate, a 16th-century artwork, missing for over fifty years, has resurfaced and is now embroiled in a dispute over its rightful ownership between an English widow and a modest Italian museum. The painting, known as “Madonna and Child” by artist Antonio Solario, vanished from a civic museum located in Belluno in the Dolomite mountain range of northern Italy in 1973. After its disappearance, it reportedly fell into the hands of Baron de Dozsa, who brought it to his Tudor manor in eastern England, says Christopher Marinello, a lawyer with expertise in retrieving stolen art.
Currently, the piece resides with Barbara de Dozsa, the former spouse of the late Baron, though it is still listed as stolen in the database of the international police agency Interpol. Marinello, who has substantial experience recovering artworks looted during wartime, is committed to ensuring the painting returns to Belluno, a region with which he has familial connections. “With ties to this area, I felt compelled to involve myself,” expressed Marinello, who has assisted in reclaiming masterpieces by artists like Henri Matisse and Henry Moore.
Despite his efforts, Marinello encounters resistance. On Tuesday, he mentioned that de Dozsa refuses to relinquish the painting, despite her admission that she has little fondness for it. Marinello remarked that the artwork is not displayed, as it reminds her of her ex-husband. Attempts to contact de Dozsa for her perspective have been unsuccessful.
The painting’s reemergence unfolded after Barbara de Dozsa attempted to auction it off in England, where it was identified as a stolen item. Norfolk Constabulary, the local police department, was alerted but eventually handed the painting back to de Dozsa. The police department informed they were guided by UK judicial authorities to return the piece because years had passed without any Italian response regarding the inquiry. Consequently, the police have currently halted their investigation.
Works by Solario, known for his contributions to Italian Renaissance art in the early 1500s, have fetched several hundred thousand dollars at auctions. However, Marinello estimates that “Madonna and Child” might hold a financial worth of under 100,000 pounds (approximately $128,000), emphasizing that its significance transcends mere monetary value. “Solario hails from this region, making it significantly meaningful to Belluno’s people,” he added.
