ROME — Canadian and Italian dignitaries on Thursday marked the successful recovery of a photo portrait of Winston Churchill known as “The Roaring Lion,” stolen in Canada and recovered in Italy after a two-year search by police.
At a ceremony at the Canadian Embassy in Rome, Italian carabinieri police handed over the portrait to the Canadian ambassador to Italy, Elissa Goldberg, who praised the cooperation between Italian and Canadian investigators that led to the recovery.
The 1941 portrait of the British leader taken by Ottawa photographer Yousuf Karsh is now ready for the last step of its journey home to the Fairmont Château Laurier, the hotel in Ottawa where it was stolen and will once again be displayed as a notable historic portrait.
Canadian police said the portrait was stolen from the hotel sometime between Christmas 2021 and Jan. 6, 2022, and replaced with a forgery. The swap was only uncovered months later, in August, when a hotel worker noticed the frame was not hung properly and looked different than the others.
Nicola Cassinelli, a lawyer in Genoa, Italy, purchased the portrait in May 2022 at an online Sotheby’s auction for 5,292 British pounds. He says he got a phone call from the auction house that October advising him not to sell or otherwise transfer the portrait due to an investigation into the Ottawa theft.
Cassinelli, who attended Thursday’s ceremony, said he thought he was buying a regular print and quickly agreed to send the iconic Churchill photograph home when he learned its true story.
“I immediately decided to return it to the Chateau Laurier, because I think that if Karsh donated it to the hotel, it means he really wanted it to stay there, for the particular significance this hotel had for him, and for his wife too,” Cassinelli told The Associated Press.
The famous image was taken by Karsh during Churchill’s wartime visit to the Canadian Parliament in December 1941. It helped launch Karsh’s career, who photographed some of the 20th century’s most famed icons, including Nelson Mandela, Albert Einstein and Queen Elizabeth.
Karsh and his wife Estrellita gifted an original signed print to the Fairmont Chateau Laurier in 1998. The couple had lived and operated a studio inside the hotel for nearly two decades.
Geneviève Dumas, general manager of the Fairmont Château Laurier, said on Thursday she felt immensely grateful.
“I would like to extend my deepest gratitude to everybody involved in solving this case, and ensuring the safe return of this priceless piece of history.”
Police arrested a 43-year-old man from Powassan, Ontario, in April and have charged him with stealing and trafficking the portrait. The man, whose name is protected by a publication ban, faces charges that include forgery, theft over $5,000 and trafficking in property obtained by crime exceeding $5,000.
A historic and iconic photograph of former British Prime Minister Winston Churchill that was stolen in Canada and later recovered in Italy is set to be returned to its rightful owners. The photograph, which captures Churchill giving his famous “V for Victory” gesture during World War II, has been a symbol of resilience and strength for many around the world.
The photograph was originally taken by renowned photographer Yousuf Karsh in 1941 and has since become one of the most recognizable images of Churchill. It was on display at the National Churchill Museum in Fulton, Missouri, before it was stolen in 2017 during an exhibition at the Blenheim Palace in Woodstock, Ontario.
After an extensive investigation by authorities in both Canada and Italy, the photograph was finally recovered in Italy earlier this year. The Italian authorities worked closely with Interpol to track down the stolen artwork and bring it back to its rightful owners.
The National Churchill Museum expressed their gratitude for the efforts made by law enforcement agencies in both countries to recover the photograph. They stated that the photograph holds significant historical value and serves as a reminder of Churchill’s leadership during a crucial time in world history.
The photograph is now set to be returned to the National Churchill Museum, where it will once again be put on display for visitors to admire and appreciate. The museum plans to hold a special ceremony to commemorate the return of the iconic photograph and to honor the memory of Winston Churchill.
This incident serves as a reminder of the importance of preserving and protecting valuable historical artifacts. It also highlights the collaborative efforts of law enforcement agencies across borders to combat art theft and ensure that stolen artwork is returned to its rightful owners.
As the iconic Churchill photograph makes its journey back to Canada, it serves as a symbol of resilience and perseverance, much like the man it portrays. It is a testament to the enduring legacy of Winston Churchill and his impact on history.
