In 1969, a group of New Jersey mobsters stole John Opie’s 1784 painting “The Schoolmistress” from the Wood family home. The painting was passed from one crime member to another for decades, before it ended up in a residential home in Utah. When the homeowner died in 2020, authorities liquidating his property found the painting and had it appraised, ultimately discovering that it was in fact the stolen painting. Authorities tracked down the living members of the Wood family to return the painting. 54 years after it was stolen, “The Schoolmistress” is finally back with its rightful owners. Earl Wood purchased the painting in the 1930s for $7,500, and his grandson Tom now has the 240 year old art piece on his wall.
Image via AP
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