Kunsthaus Zürich Recovers Two Missing Old Master Paintings from Private Collection
Kunsthaus Zürich announced the recovery of two Old Master paintings that had been missing since early 2023. The works—'Soldiers in Camp' by Robert van den Hoecke (mid-17th century) and 'Narcissi and Other Flowers in a Glass Vase on a Marble Slab' by Dirck de Bray (1673)—are small-format private long-term loans. They disappeared during extensive post-fire restoration work following an August 2022 blaze in a technical room of the museum's Müller building. The paintings have been examined by the museum's conservation department and found to be in good condition. The cantonal police and the Zurich-Sihl public prosecutor's office have launched an investigation, and no further details are currently available.
The Signal
The recovery of these two Old Master works is a significant relief for the museum and the private lender, reaffirming the trust placed in institutional stewardship. The paintings will soon be reinstalled in their original location on the first floor of the Moser building, reuniting them with other long-term loans from the same collection. The incident highlights the vulnerabilities museums face during major renovation or post-disaster phases, and the importance of rigorous inventory controls. Director Ann Demeester and board president Philipp Hildebrand expressed extraordinary joy at the find, underscoring the emotional and cultural value of such works to both the institution and the lender's family.
- Artists: Robert van den Hoecke, Dirck de Bray
- People: Ann Demeester, Philipp Hildebrand
- Museums: Kunsthaus Zürich
- Locations: Zürich
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