An 18th-century British painting, believed to have been stolen by mobsters in 1969, has been returned to its rightful owners after more than half a century. The FBI's Salt Lake City field office announced the recovery of the painting on Friday, which was bought by the family during the Great Depression for $7,500.
The painting in question is a 40-inch-by-50-inch (102-cm-by-127-cm) masterpiece by John Opie titled 'The Schoolmistress.' Interestingly, it is the sister painting of a similar artwork housed in the prestigious Tate Britain art gallery in London.
Authorities suspect that the Opie painting was stolen with the assistance of a former New Jersey lawmaker and then circulated among organized crime members for several years before eventually finding its way to St. George, a city in southern Utah. The painting was included in the sale of a house in Florida back in 1989, which had been purchased from Joseph Covello Sr., a convicted mobster associated with the infamous Gambino family, as per the FBI.
The recent turn of events leading to the painting's return began in 2020 when the buyer of the house passed away. A Utah accounting firm tasked with liquidating the buyer's assets sought an appraisal for the painting and, much to their surprise, discovered its likely status as a stolen piece. As a result, the FBI took custody of the artwork until its true ownership could be determined.
On January 11, the painting was finally returned to Dr. Francis Wood, 96, of Newark, the son of the painting's original owner, Dr. Earl Wood, who had acquired it during the 1930s. The FBI's diligent efforts paved the way for the rightful reunion between the Wood family and this significant piece of art.
John Opie was a renowned historical and portrait painter from Britain, known for his depictions of British royals and other notable figures. His artworks have fetched high prices at prestigious auction houses like Sotheby's and Christie's, with one piece selling for nearly $1 million in 2007.
FBI Special Agent Gary France, who worked on the case, expressed his amazement at the painting's journey through history. He remarked, 'This piece of art, what a history it's had. It traveled all through the U.K. when it was first painted, owned by quite a few families in the U.K. And then it travels overseas to the United States, sold during the Great Depression, and subsequently stolen by the mob before being recovered by the FBI decades later. It's quite amazing.'
According to the FBI, 'The Schoolmistress' was taken from Dr. Earl Wood's house in July 1969 by three individuals acting under the direction of former New Jersey state Sen. Anthony Imperiale, who passed away in 1999. Imperiale, known for his strong stance against crime and his involvement in Newark politics, achieved national recognition in the 1960s. However, he also stirred controversy by organizing citizen patrols to keep Black protesters out of Italian neighborhoods during the riots in Newark in the summer of 1967.
The burglary initially targeted Dr. Wood's coin collection but was thwarted by a burglar alarm, alerting local police and Imperiale to the break-in. It was then that the home's caretaker informed Imperiale about the priceless Opie painting. Subsequently, the thieves returned to the house later that month and successfully stole the artwork, as confirmed by one of the burglars, Gerald Festa, during a 1975 trial of an accomplice. Festa claimed that the trio had visited Imperiale before the theft and were explicitly instructed by him about the painting's whereabouts in Wood's home.
Despite Festa's testimony, the allegations against the former state lawmaker could not be sufficiently corroborated, resulting in no charges being filed against him at the time. FBI Special Agent Gary France confirmed that no charges have been brought since the painting's recovery since all those believed to have been involved in the theft have passed away. The three thieves were convicted of other mob-related crimes before their deaths.
The return of this stolen painting has undoubtedly brought closure to the Wood family, who have been separated from this valuable artwork for over five decades. It serves as a reminder of the intricate network of crime and the enduring value of art across borders and time.
