Mystery Jackson Pollock painting, valued at $54m, seized in Bulgaria police raid
-
Loading... - Lisa Steiner
- 08 May 2023
- 89 Views
- 0 Like
- 0 Comment
A rare Jackson Pollock painting worth $54 million has been seized by Bulgarian police in a dramatic raid. The artwork, known as “Red, Black & Silver”, was stolen from a private collector in the United States in 1996 and its whereabouts have remained a mystery until now. The painting was found in a hidden compartment of a vehicle during a routine traffic stop near the Bulgarian-Turkish border.
The Story of the Painting
The painting was originally owned by Alex Matter, a filmmaker and photographer who was a close friend of Jackson Pollock. Matter inherited the painting from his mother, who was also an artist and a friend of Pollock’s. In 1996, the painting was stolen from Matter’s storage facility in Long Island City, New York. At the time, Matter was in the process of organizing an exhibition of his mother’s work, which included the Pollock painting.
The theft of the painting was a major blow to Matter, who had spent years trying to authenticate the work and establish its provenance. He offered a reward of $50,000 for information leading to the recovery of the painting, but despite extensive efforts by law enforcement agencies and private investigators, the painting remained missing for over two decades.
The Recovery of the Painting
The recovery of the painting is a major breakthrough for the art world and for law enforcement agencies that have been pursuing the case for years. The painting was found in a hidden compartment of a vehicle during a routine traffic stop near the Bulgarian-Turkish border. Bulgarian authorities were initially skeptical that the painting was genuine, but after conducting a thorough investigation, they determined that it was indeed the stolen Pollock painting.
The painting is now in the custody of Bulgarian authorities, who are working with the FBI to return it to its rightful owner. It is unclear at this time whether any charges will be filed in connection with the theft of the painting.
The Value of the Painting
The value of the painting is estimated to be around $54 million, making it one of the most valuable pieces of art ever stolen. The painting is a classic example of Pollock’s signature “drip painting” style, which he developed in the late 1940s and early 1950s. The painting features a mix of red, black, and silver paint dripped and splattered onto a large canvas, creating a striking and dynamic abstract composition.
The recovery of the stolen Pollock painting is a major victory for law enforcement agencies and for the art world as a whole. The painting, which was stolen over two decades ago, has remained a mystery until now. Its recovery underscores the importance of international cooperation in the fight against art theft and the need for continued efforts to combat the illicit trade in stolen artworks.
As we await further updates on the fate of the painting, the recovery of this priceless piece of art serves as a reminder of the enduring power and beauty of great works of art, and the importance of preserving our cultural heritage for future generations.
