I’m getting reports of a bizarre story about the theft of a Poussin, a Bellini and two other renaissance works from the museum in Ajaccio, Corsica. Apparently, the works were “held to ransom” by a guard in protest at imminent eviction from his home. After some time he led the police to his car where the paintings were stowed; unfortunately, the paintings had been stolen from the thief and remain at large.
The Poussin is ‘King Midas’ (1626-7), the earliest version of this subject which he painted 3 times in different ways. I’ll update if I get more information. Meantime I found a video about the robbery (in French) where the stolen paintings are shown. Whoever has got it hasn’t a hope in hell of selling it on the art market as Poussin is too well-known. Some wag has suggested to me that the second thief could have been Napoleon’s ghost!
What a strange story! I hope the painting is recovered. Please keep us updated if you learn more news.
I like the thought that Napoleon's ghost stole the painting! Ha! In many ways, Napoleon did prefer the academic tradition that Poussin embodied!
Posted by: M | 02/24/2011 at 12:32 AM