MADRID, SPAIN – Spanish police have successfully recovered a valuable painting by Francis Bacon, marking a significant breakthrough in a high-profile art heist that occurred in 2015. The painting, titled “Study for Portrait of José Capelo,” is estimated to be worth $5.4 million and is the fourth of five stolen works to be retrieved.
Authorities announced the recovery following the arrest of two individuals in February, who are suspected of having received two of the stolen Bacon works. The painting, created in 1989, depicts a man’s head and was part of a private collection owned by a close friend of the artist. The theft, which took place in a Madrid apartment, was reported to the police in July 2015.
The stolen collection, initially valued at 25 million euros, has been the subject of an extensive investigation involving multiple arrests. To date, 16 individuals, including the original thieves, have been detained. Police efforts are now focused on locating the fifth and final missing painting, with investigations honing in on Spaniards linked to Eastern European criminal gangs.
Francis Bacon, an Irish-born painter renowned for his emotive and often unsettling works, frequently visited Madrid. He spent considerable time studying masterpieces at the Prado Museum and passed away in the Spanish capital in 1992 at the age of 82.
The recovery of “Study for Portrait of José Capelo” represents a significant victory for law enforcement and the art community, underscoring the ongoing efforts to combat art theft and preserve cultural heritage. The investigation remains active as authorities continue to pursue leads to recover the last missing piece.