International Art Treasures Web Magazine

March 2004  


Stolen Ivories Recovered!

Portrait of Sir Isaac Newton PRS (1642-1727), by David Le Marchand
Title: Portrait of Sir Isaac Newton PRS(1642-1727) about 1710
Artist David Le Marchand (French, active in England (1674-1726)
Medium: Ivory
Inscribed along lower front edge of panel beneath truncation: 'D. Le Marcha.d [sic] ad Viv.Sc.lt'
Dimensions: 19.5 cm ht.; 13.0 cm l.; 3.5 cm d. (7 ¾ x 5 1/8")
Permanent Collection & Image Courtesy: The Art Gallery of Ontario, Toronto

The Mounties always get their man according to a familiar colloquialism, and the Toronto Police recover priceless artworks.

January 18th, 2004 a chilly Saturday in downtown Toronto and the day that five small but important ivory sculptures disappeared from a display case at the Art Gallery of Ontario (AGO).

January 31st, 2004 another chilly Saturday in downtown Toronto, the Toronto Police announced the recovery of the stolen artwork.  The artwork was turned over to a Toronto lawyer who in turn returned them to the police with client privilege preventing questions being asked about the lawyer's involvement as anything other than a conduit in the recovery.

Currently those responsible for the theft are at large but to the great credit of the efforts of Toronto's finest the artwork is safe and sound and in the possession of their owner, media baron Ken Thomson who had loaned the artwork to the AGO.

Immediately after being advised of the theft the police went to the media with descriptions, images of the artwork, images of three individuals 'of interest' to the police [meaning they are not suspects but the police would like to speak with them]. The unspoken goal was to make it impossible for the artwork to be sold even to a private collector who is willing to buy stolen property for their own personal enjoyment because it was too well known.

International Art Treasures Web Magazine encourages Mr. Thomson, and all other benefactors of museums and art galleries, to continue to have faith that the galleries will take great care of their property and allow art fans the opportunity to view these pieces. The old adage "one bad apple can spoil the whole bunch" should not be applied. It certainly makes headlines when such an important historical collection is taken but given the millions of visitors to the AGO since they received the extended loan of the five ivories a few criminally minded visitors should not detract from the abundance who visited for enjoyment, education or both.

The Toronto Police are actively involved in locating those who stole the artwork and wish to prosecute them despite their return of the artifacts. IATWM hopes the culprits are apprehended and prosecuted.
© 2004 International Art Treasures Web Magazine, All Rights Reserved.