Two Missing Old Master Paintings Recovered at Kunsthaus Zürich
The Facts
Kunsthaus Zürich announced on May 26, 2024, that two small-format Old Master paintings from private collections, missing since early 2023, have been recovered in good condition. The works—Robert van den Hoecke's "Soldiers in Camp" (mid-17th century, 18.8 x 24.7 cm) and Dirck de Bray's "Narcissi and Other Flowers in a Glass Vase on a Marble Slab" (1673, 30.9 x 23.5 cm)—disappeared during extensive post-fire remediation work following an August 2022 blaze in a technical room of the museum's Müller building. The paintings were examined by the museum's restoration department and found to be in good condition. Zurich 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 resolves a months-long mystery that had raised security concerns for the museum, which holds significant private loans. Director Ann Demeester and board president Philipp Hildebrand expressed relief and joy, noting the private owner's family is equally delighted. The paintings will 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 underscores the vulnerability of artworks during major renovation or repair projects, even at institutions with robust security protocols.
- Artists: Robert van den Hoecke, Dirck de Bray
- People: Ann Demeester, Philipp Hildebrand, Alex Hefter
- Museums: Kunsthaus Zürich
- Locations: Zürich
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