An El Greco from the collection of industrialist Julius Priester, and seized by the Gestapo during WWII, has been returned to its rightful owners.  Portrait of a Gentleman has traveled widely since its confiscation in 1944, turning up in galleries in Stockholm, New York and London before a European Commission for Looted Art claim led to its return.  “The story of the seizure and trade of this painting shows how much the art trade has been involved in the disposal of Nazi-looted art and how difficult it is for those who have been dispossessed to find and recover their property,” says Anne Webber, co-chair of the Commission. (more…)

‪‬Art historian recognizes possible El Greco work in private collection of Camilla Blaffer: a canvas bought at a Paris auction 20 years ago depicts St. Francis, a common subject of the artist, and was signed with the artist’s proper name (though the signature was lost in the restoration)

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‪‬Italian police recover 37 old masters paintings stolen from a Roman businessman’s collection in 1971. Paintings by Berlinghieri, El Greco, Rembrandt, Rubens, Poussin, Van Dyck are among the works, worth £6 million in all.  Five works from the original theft still remain missing. [AO Newslink]

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