- An 18th-century painting stolen by New Jersey mobsters in 1969 has been returned to the family that originally bought it during the Great Depression. Titled “The Schoolmistress” by John Opie, it is the sister painting of a work housed in the Tate Britain art gallery in London.
- The stolen painting was discovered during the liquidation of a deceased buyer’s property and was returned to Dr. Francis Wood, the son of the painting’s original owner, after an art expert in England confirmed its identity.
- The painting’s theft in 1969 involved three men, possibly directed by former New Jersey state Sen. Anthony Imperiale. No charges have been filed by the FBI following its recovery, as all involved individuals are deceased. The painting is currently being cleaned and remains in good condition.
Additional Coverage:
An 18th-century British painting stolen by New Jersey mobsters in 1969 has recently been returned to the family that originally bought it during the Great Depression. The painting, titled “The Schoolmistress” by John Opie, is the sister painting of a similar work housed in the Tate Britain art gallery in London. It is believed that the painting was stolen with the help of a former New Jersey lawmaker and was passed among organized crime members before eventually ending up in Utah. The stolen piece was recently discovered and returned to the family of the original owner.
The painting was taken into custody by the FBI after it was discovered during the liquidation of a deceased buyer’s property. An art appraiser in Utah noticed that the painting appeared to be an 18th-century piece and contacted an art expert in England who had knowledge of a stolen painting matching its description. The painting, which dates back to 1784, was then returned to Dr. Francis Wood, the son of the painting’s original owner, who bought it in the 1930s.
John Opie was a renowned British historical and portrait painter known for his depictions of British royals and the elite. “The Schoolmistress” is a notable work by Opie as it portrays an ordinary scene from everyday life, showing an older teacher surrounded by young students. The painting has a rich history and has traveled extensively before being stolen by the mob and eventually recovered by the FBI.
The FBI has revealed that the painting was stolen from Earl Wood’s house in 1969 by three men who were acting under the direction of former New Jersey state Sen. Anthony Imperiale. The thieves initially attempted to steal a coin collection but were thwarted by a burglar alarm. They later returned to the house and stole the Opie painting after being informed of its location by Imperiale. One of the thieves confessed to the burglary in 1975 and implicated Imperiale, but the claims were not sufficiently corroborated, and Imperiale was never charged.
No charges have been filed by the FBI since the painting’s recovery, as all individuals believed to have been involved are now deceased. The painting is currently being cleaned and appraised, but it remains in good condition with minor blemishes. The Wood family is grateful to have the stolen painting back, and they are thankful that it was well cared for during its “roundabout journey”.