Two Stolen Van Gogh Paintings Recovered in Italy

Vincent van Gogh, View of the Sea at Scheveningen, 1882
Van Gogh's "View of the Sea at Scheveningen" was one of two paintings recovered by Italian authorities in Naples. Van Gogh Museum

Two stolen Vincent Van Gogh paintings have been recovered in a raid on the Mafia in Naples, Italian police authorities said Friday.

In a press release announcing the recovery of the portraits, the Van Gogh Museum, based in Amsterdam, said they are in "relatively good condition."

The paintings, View of the Sea at Scheveningen (1882) and Congregation leaving the Reformed Church in Nuenen (1884-85), were stolen from the museum in 2002.

The Van Gogh Museum said they were recovered during a "massive, continuing investigation" into organized crime in Naples.

"After all those years you no longer dare to count on a possible return," said the museum's director Alex Rüger. "The paintings have been found! That I would be able to ever pronounce these words is something I had no longer dared to hope for."

It is not yet known when the artworks will be returned to Amsterdam as they are considered evidence in the ongoing criminal case.

"Naturally the only thing you want is to take them straight home with you. But we will have to exercise a little bit more patience, but I am convinced that we can count on the support of the Italian authorities," said Rüger.

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