Art Stolen in L.A. in 1981 Is Found in N.Y.

Six years after it was stolen from an art gallery in the Ambassador Hotel, a Modernist oil painting by French artist Georges Rouault has been recovered in New York City.

And the recovery of the painting was just as simple as its theft: This time, someone just walked in with it.

The 1937 painting, “Christ,” was reported missing in 1981 when someone apparently walked in the front door of the Dalzell Hatfield Gallery, picked up the painting and walked out before any employees noticed. “They were in the process of preparing for a show and left it unattended in the front of the gallery,” said Capt. Bill Martin of the Los Angeles Police Department’s art theft detail.

Then in July, a Los Angeles man walked into the Beverly Hills office of Christie’s auction house and offered to sell the piece--now valued at $300,000, six times its estimated worth when stolen.

“I would love to say I immediately raised an eyebrow and took out a magnifying glass,” said Michael Findlay, senior vice president of Christie’s and an expert on Impressionist and Modernist art work. “But actually, it was quite routine.”

Routine Check With Experts

The painting had been sent to New York for processing, and though the auction house had no question as to its authenticity, it was sent through a routine check with international experts for additional background.

In this case, Christie’s checked with the late artist’s daughter, Isabella Rouault. “She said that according to her records it was stolen and had not been recovered,” Findlay said.

So Christie’s contacted the New York Police Department and then the owners. “They were completely shocked and surprised,” said Findlay of the owners who said they inherited the painting.

The owners have been questioned, but so far no one has been charged in the case. “We have no information that the (sellers) have committed any crime,” Martin said.

It’s likely that no one ever will be charged with the theft, Martin said. “The statute of limitations ran out,” he said. The most serious offense that still could be brought against anyone is receiving stolen property.

Who Will Reap the Windfall?

So now the biggest question is, who gets the windfall on the increased value of the painting? Rouault’s work, and that of other Modernists, has become increasingly popular in recent years and so its price has increased significantly, according to dealers.

If the painting is authentic, the rightful owners are the three insurance companies which paid $15,000 for the work which was only partially insured.

If it is not authentic, the unidentified Los Angeles man who wanted to sell the painting would get it back.

The gallery owner, Ruth Hatfield, died in 1984 and the gallery was closed in 1985 after 47 years of operation. The gallery had a national reputation and counted the Hollywood elite among its clientele.

Hatfield’s great niece, Barbara Jackson of Los Angeles, is the executor of the estate and said there is a provision in the insurance policy that would allow her to retake possession of the painting for $15,000. “And I will do it,” she said.

As for the windfall, Jackson said, “The IRS will love it.”