Gardners Unravel Long-Standing Mystery When They Cut Back Overgrown Ivy

By: Ronda Fuller | Last updated: Oct 21, 2023

In Piacenza, a picturesque Italian city south of Milan, something incredible was discovered.

Two gardeners tending to the modern art gallery’s garden stumbled across the long-lost painting of the renowned Gustav Klimt, solving one of the art world’s most enduring mysteries. In an instant, their seemingly mundane task had unearthed a priceless masterpiece!

Unraveling a Century-Old Mystery: The Tale of the Missing Portrait of a Lady 

In 1997, a century-old masterpiece painted by an Austrian artist mysteriously vanished from its gallery home of more than seven decades. For years, the whereabouts of Portrait of a Lady remained an unsolved mystery, with only a few clues to guide investigators. 

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But the hunt for this Expressionist painting was never abandoned, and its captivating story of disappearance and rediscovery is one that will remain long in the minds of art historians.

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Gardeners Solve the Mystery of the World's Second Most-Wanted Missing Painting

For over twenty years, the mysterious disappearance of the world-renowned painting, Portrait of a Lady, had baffled authorities and art lovers alike. Coming second only to Caravaggio’s Nativity with St. Francis and St. Lawrence as the most sought-after missing painting, the case had proven to be an unsolvable mystery.

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That is, until two unsuspecting gardeners stumbled upon the painting in a country estate in the Italian countryside. How the painting got there remains a mystery, but the discovery marked a new era in the art world, as the painting was finally recovered after its mysterious disappearance.

Discover the Genius of Klimt 

Unlock the genius of Klimt, the renowned symbolist artist who revolutionized the world of art with his captivating and groundbreaking works. Born in the Austrian Empire in July 1862, Klimt developed a deep fascination with painting from an early age. 

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His passion and dedication to art culminated in the founding of the Vienna Secession movement in 1897, an artistic style that embraced the modern era of Art Nouveau. Appreciate the brilliance of Klimt and explore the world of art through his captivating works.

Rediscovering Expressionism - Klimt's Portrait of an Unknown Woman 

Reinvigorating his creative spirit, Klimt began work on a portrait eight years after his departure from the Vienna Secession. A stunning Expressionist piece, it portrays a dark-haired woman with her gaze cast over her left shoulder. 

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Showcasing his artistic brilliance, this work of art measures 24 by 22 inches, making it significantly smaller than some of his other well-known pieces. Undoubtedly, this is an exceptional work of art that truly merits admiration.

Celebrating the Last Masterpiece of Klimt 

On February 6, 1918, the world of art mourned the loss of one of its greatest masters, Gustav Klimt, at the age of 55. However, that same year a glimmer of hope was found in the form of his last painting, the exquisite ‘Portrait of a Lady’. 

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Seven years later, the work was acquired by the Ricci Oddi Modern Art Gallery in Piacenza, northern Italy, in celebration of Klimt’s legacy. Let us take a moment to appreciate this final masterpiece of the beloved artist.

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A Teenager Uncovers a Stunning Artistic Discovery 

Seventy years of history were altered in a single moment when a teenage art student named Claudia Maga stumbled upon a shocking discovery. Maga was studying The Complete Works of Gustav Klimt when she noticed two of the symbolist’s paintings bore remarkable similarities. 

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After careful examination, Maga realized that a piece that had been displayed with pride alongside works by other great 19th and 20th century artists, Portrait of a Lady, was actually created by Klimt. This incredible revelation changed the course of art history forever.

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A Mysterious Discovery of a Lost Painting 

Maga stumbled upon a mysterious discovery when she opened the pages of the book – a reproduction of the long-lost painting, Portrait of a Young Lady, which had been missing since 1912! 

Source: Gusthav Klimt/Wikimedia Commons

Though the woman in the painting was wearing a scarf and hat, the portrait had many similarities with Portrait of a Lady. Both of them depicted women in the same pose, with identical smiles and beauty spots. It was a remarkable find that has left many in awe.

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Maga's Amazing Discovery: Unveiling Klimt's Hidden Portrait 

Maga’s curiosity was piqued when she compared two images and noticed that they were an exact match. With her suspicions raised, she magnified the images and traced them – confirming her discovery that Klimt had painted his masterpiece, Portrait of a Lady, over his earlier work. 

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This was an incredible revelation that offered new insight into the artist and his creative process. Maga’s sharp eye and keen deduction had uncovered a hidden portrait – one that had remained a mystery for many years.

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Uncovering a Mystery in the Art World - Klimt's Double Portrait

After months of research and investigation, art historian Maga was ready to present a revolutionary idea – she believed that Gustav Klimt, the renowned Austrian painter, had created a double portrait that no one had seen before. 

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Maga was determined to prove her theory, and so she sought the help of Ferdinando Arisi, the director of the Ricci Oddi gallery. Together, they embarked on a mission to uncover the truth behind the mysterious painting. Could they be the first to uncover a masterpiece created by Klimt? Only time would tell.

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Uncovering a Hidden Treasure 

Arisi had an incredible feeling that something was hidden beneath the surface of the Klimt painting, Portrait of a Lady. To prove her hunch right, she removed the artwork from its frame and took it to a local hospital. 

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The technicians there ran it through an x-ray machine, and the results were astounding – there was indeed an earlier piece concealed beneath the brushstrokes! Arisi had stumbled upon a hidden treasure, and her discovery would prove to be invaluable.

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Klimt's Forgotten Love: The Tragic Tale Behind a Masterpiece 

Gustav Klimt’s Portrait of a Young Lady is widely praised for its beauty and profound emotion. But what is the heartbreaking story behind this masterpiece? It is said that the mysterious woman in the painting was a great love of the artist, his muse for a time until her untimely death. 

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Klimt was so devastated by her passing that he chose to forget the painting, and the tragic story surrounding it.

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Rediscovery of a Hidden Masterpiece 

For decades, a secret masterpiece lay hidden beneath layers of paint, carefully crafted by the hands of Austrian artist Gustav Klimt. The portrait, created in the wake of a broken heart, was a tribute to his lost love – and it remained undiscovered for years. 

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But when the owners of the painting realized the truth, they leapt into action, planning an exhibition to commemorate the incredible rediscovery. Now, the public can revel in the beauty of Klimt’s hidden artwork, and remember the powerful emotions that inspired it.

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The Ricci Oddi Heist - One of the Most Daring Art Thefts in History 

The Ricci Oddi gallery was buzzing with activity when they made the fateful decision to host a major art exhibition. Little did they know it would kickstart one of the most daring heists in art history! 

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Excitement filled the air as workers moved in to carry out renovations in the gallery and soon, the hallways and rooms were filled with people preparing for the show. It was all about to take an unexpected turn, however, as a thief was about to make away with priceless artwork.

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A Masterpiece Lost in the Chaos 

Amidst the hustle and bustle of the day, a priceless artwork went missing without anyone noticing. On February 22, 1997, the ‘Portrait of a Lady’ vanished from the National Gallery of Ancient Art in Rome. Once the gallery’s employees realized the masterpiece was no longer there, they contacted the Italian police. 

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However, when the authorities arrived at the scene, chaos ensued. According to Salvatore Cavallaro, a sergeant major at the time, the crime scene was a complete mess. Despite their best efforts, the painting has still not been found.

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Miracle of Recovery: Sgt. Cavallaro Recounts the Unsolved Mystery of the Arisi Painting

Sgt. Cavallaro vividly remembers the day the Arisi painting went missing. In a 2016 interview with the BBC, he recalls the doors of the art gallery being open, people coming and going, and the security system being off. 

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With no further clues, the authorities could do nothing to help the devastated Arisi family recover their stolen masterpiece. Unfortunately, no new leads materialized in the following months. Nevertheless, the authorities and the Arisi family remain hopeful that this unsolved mystery will eventually be solved.

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A Stunning Mystery Unfolds: The Case of the Empty Picture Frame 

Gripping viewers with its captivating story, the case of the empty picture frame still remains unsolved. All that was found of the mysterious disappearance was the frame of Portrait of a Lady, discovered on the roof of the gallery with its valuable contents gone. 

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With no witnesses or evidence, investigators were left to speculate that a nearby skylight may have been the key to the crime. But who was the perpetrator and why did they take the artwork? It’s a stunning mystery that has yet to be solved.

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Unsolved Mystery: The Unlikely Theft of a Precious Painting 

As Cavallaro studied the scene, he quickly discarded the idea that a thief had scaled the building and fished the painting out of the open skylight. It was too implausible – the skylight was simply too small for the large, gilded frame to have fit through. 

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How this precious painting had been stolen from its lofty perch remained a mystery. Who could have pulled off such a daring deed and why had they taken this particular piece? Until Cavallaro could answer these questions, it would remain a mystery. 

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Unveiling the Mystery - A Painting Stolen from an Italian Museum Finally Found! 

After more than a month of intense investigation, a breakthrough finally came in the case of a stolen painting from an Italian museum. A package addressed to the former Prime Minister of Italy, Bettino Craxi, was confiscated at the border between Italy and France – a whopping 180 miles away! 

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At the time, the ex-politician was under investigation for corruption and was hiding in the Tunisian town of Hammamet. The discovery of the painting provided a much-needed breakthrough in the case and was a proud moment for the Italian law enforcement.

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Reunited at Last! Fugazza Brothers Reclaim Beloved Portrait of a Lady 

After months of searching, the Fugazza brothers thought they had finally solved the mystery of the missing painting. Inside the package, officials discovered the Portrait of a Lady – miraculously unscathed after its harrowing journey. 

Source: Gustav Klimt/Wikimedia Commons

Excited to be reunited with the masterpiece, Arisi and Stefano Fugazza, the new director of the gallery, hurried to the border to view the painting. After a brief inspection, their hearts were filled with joy as the brothers brought the beloved painting back to its rightful home.

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Unsolved Mystery Solved: The Missing Portrait of a Lady Found! 

For decades, art aficionados speculated the whereabouts of the long-lost masterpiece – the Portrait of a Lady. In their wildest dreams, they never expected to one day be disappointed when it was revealed to be a forgery.

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With no further leads, the case was closed and the painting remained missing, becoming one of the most famous lost works of art in history. But in 2013, the mystery was finally solved and the legendary painting was found! How this intriguing case was solved after all these years is a captivating story in itself.

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Unsolved Mystery of the Stolen Portrait Solved? 

The decades-old mystery surrounding the stolen Portrait of a Lady seemed to be nearing its end. Investigators were able to recover a partial fingerprint from the abandoned frame and, with the help of modern technology, they were optimistic about identifying the culprit. 

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But their efforts were unfortunately in vain. Finally, in the summer of 2016, police questioned an art thief about the unsolved crime, sparking hopes that the case would soon be closed. Could this be the breakthrough that solves the mysterious theft?

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Caught in His Own Web of Lies: Unnamed Thief's Astonishing Tale of Theft 

For two decades, an unnamed thief had been shrouded in mystery, and no one knew who had been behind the infamous heist. But then, the mystery man suddenly came forward and made an astonishing claim – he was the thief! However, the story he told was far from what people had expected. 

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He declared that he had not stolen the Portrait of a Lady through the skylight, as everyone thought. Instead, he had taken it months before the disappearance was even noticed. Was this man telling the truth or had he woven a web of lies?

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Inside Job: Thief's Plan to Steal a Masterpiece Unravels 

The alleged thief thought he had it all figured out—he had orchestrated an inside job, swapping the priceless Portrait of a Lady with a forged copy, and walked out of the gallery in plain sight. 

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But with the looming exhibition, his scheme started to unravel as fear began to set in that his forgery might be discovered. With the police now on the lookout for the suspect, it’s only a matter of time before the truth was revealed.

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The Thief Who Stole a Masterpiece and Then Returned It? 

In a jaw-dropping twist, the thief who stole the famous painting “Portrait of a Lady” from an Italian gallery made a startling confession. He had returned to the gallery and stolen the fake painting to cover up his crime. 

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Even more bizarrely, he had discarded the frame on the roof to mislead investigators. But the most incredible part was his promise to return the exquisite artwork on the 20th anniversary of its disappearance – a promise that still remains unfulfilled.

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Solving the Mystery of the Missing $66 Million Painting 

For years, art enthusiasts have waited in anticipation for the return of the Portrait of a Lady, an iconic painting with a value of around $66 million. Sadly, despite the date marked in the calendar, the painting has still not been found. 

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The whereabouts of this masterpiece have been a mystery for decades, with investigators still trying to uncover the truth. Will this be the year that the artwork is finally located? Join us as we explore the captivating case of the missing painting.

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Solving the Mystery: The Unexpected Discovery 

The 10th of December marked a momentous day for the Ricci Oddi gallery – that day, the mystery that had evaded them for months was finally solved. Two gardeners, tasked with removing ivy from the building’s walls, uncovered a stunning surprise – a metal panel that had been hidden behind the leaves of the creeping vine. 

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Unveiling this secret marked a moment of triumph for the gallery, as they finally had a chance to get closer to uncovering what had been lost.

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Lost Klimt Painting Discovered After 23 Years! 

After 23 years of being missing, a long-lost Klimt painting was discovered in an unlikely place. While the gardeners were tending to the gallery’s exterior wall, they noticed a small cavity covered by a panel. 

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On further inspection, they found a black garbage bag inside the recess. Unwrapping the plastic, they were surprised to find the Klimt painting they had been searching for all these years. It was an exciting find that showcased the power of perseverance.

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Gardener’s Incredible Discovery Brings Joy to the City of Piacenza

The people of Piacenza were filled with joy when they made an incredible discovery. Could it be true that their treasure had been returned after so much time had passed? Jonathan Papamerenghi, the local councilor, shared the celebratory mood of the city. 

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“It’s a great, great moment for the city, and for the art community,” he told The New York Times in January 2020. The people of Piacenza and the art community could not contain their excitement.

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Uncovering Forged Art: the Quest to Authenticate a Klimt Masterpiece 

After the authorities realized there were multiple forged copies of Gustav Klimt’s iconic “Portrait of a Lady” circulating, they began a thorough investigation to identify the original. Utilizing x-ray technology to scan the painting and detect signs of Klimt’s earlier work, they worked tirelessly to uncover the truth. 

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While the art world held its breath, experts performed a series of tests to determine the painting’s authenticity. Finally, with a collective sigh of relief, the masterpiece was proven to be genuine.

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Mystery Solved! Incredible Discovery Confirms Portrait of a Young Lady Is Real 

An incredible discovery has recently solved a long-standing mystery! Investigators have found the remains of the famous Portrait of a Young Lady and have confirmed its authenticity. While searching, they noticed the stamp of the Ricci Oddi gallery on the piece itself. 

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This evidence allowed them to conclude that the painting was, in fact, the real deal. This remarkable discovery has finally put an end to a mystery that has been plaguing the art world for decades.

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An Astonishing Discovery: Solving the Mystery Behind the Portrait of a Lady 

On the 17th of January, 2020, the news sent shockwaves throughout the art world: the painting, Portrait of a Lady, had been authenticated as genuine! But how had it been concealed for so long? 

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La Libertà marveled over the baffling conundrum, referring to it as “a mystery within a mystery.” Investigations are still underway, but one thing is certain: the portrait’s discovery has been an astonishing event and a captivating mystery that will be remembered for years to come.

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Mysterious Reappearance of a Lost Artwork Unlocks a Stunning Revelation

After years of being lost to the world, a stunning painting has reappeared. Experts were stunned by the reappearance, while police were already questioning two suspects. It turns out Italian journalist Ermanno Mariani had received a mysterious letter from a thief who he had encountered several years prior.

Source: YouTube/Telelibertà Piacenza

The letter claimed to hold the truth regarding the painting. As the authenticity of the artwork was confirmed, the truth behind the painting’s reappearance was revealed. Uncovering the truth of this artwork has brought an exciting new development to the mystery.

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Stolen Portrait of a Lady Miraculously Returns After 20 Years! 

After a dramatic 20-year absence, the Portrait of a Lady has been miraculously returned to the Ricci Oddi gallery! Mariani’s acquaintance, along with an accomplice, had stolen the painting back in 1997 and stored it securely in an undisclosed location. 

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But after two decades, the duo had a change of heart and decided to give the piece back to the city as a gift. What an amazing and unexpected surprise! The citizens of Piacenza are now rejoicing at the return of their beloved Portrait of a Lady!

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Gardeners' Astonishing Discovery Unveils Years-Old Art Heist

When gardeners uncovered a long-lost masterpiece, experts were quick to confirm its authenticity. On the same day, police uncovered an even more astonishing revelation – the men responsible had already confessed to the crime years before!

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In a shocking turn of events, it was revealed that the painting had been hidden in the recess for several years prior to its discovery. This unexpected discovery has left the art world stunned and begging the question – how many other art thefts have gone undetected?

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Mystery of 4-Year-Old Missing Painting Finally Solved 

Guido Gulieri, lawyer for the two men in the case, recently revealed a stunning development to the Guardian. After four years, the painting the two had previously returned had been found in an unexpected place. Though the men had confessed before, their story was not believed. 

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Now, Gulieri is determined to uncover the details of what happened and how it ended up in the recess. This mystery might finally be solved after four long years, and the truth may shock us all.

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Uncovering the Mystery of the Missing Portrait 

Mariani couldn’t believe that the long-lost Portrait of a Lady could have been in the recess all along. “The suspects were tight-lipped about the details, but they always denied that the painting was in the cavity for all that time,” Mariani explained.

Source: YouTube/Telelibertà Piacenza

“I’m no expert, but I’m sure the painting would have been damaged if it had been there for so long.” It seemed like an unsolvable mystery, but Mariani was determined to get to the bottom of it and uncover the truth of the missing portrait.

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Unfathomable Confession After Two Decades

After successfully evading justice for two decades, three Italian men have come forward with a shocking confession. The suspects, who were allegedly involved in a brutal murder case in 1997, have claimed their innocence despite the 20-year statute of limitations applying to the crime.

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But why would they confess now, after so many years? Could it be a case of guilty consciences finally catching up with them? Or is there something more sinister going on? This perplexing case has left many wondering and the truth may never be known.

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Unbelievable! Men Confess to Theft of Precious Portrait

In an unbelievable turn of events, two men have confessed to the theft of an expensive artwork – the Portrait of a Lady. “It is a very strange story,” said Gulieri of the Guardian. “They could have sold it, or burned it, or whatever.

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They won’t go to prison for it, but the good news is, we have found the painting.” Despite this, some have speculated that the men may have tried to gain leniency for an unrelated crime, by confessing to the theft of the priceless painting.

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A Tale of Two Crimes: Stolen Illuminated Manuscripts and a Klimt Painting

When the Ricci Oddi Modern Art Gallery in Piacenza, Italy announced the return of Gustav Klimt’s stolen painting ‘Portrait of a Lady’ after over two decades, art historian Salvatore Mariani was intrigued.

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He believes that the same thief who stole the Klimt painting might be behind another crime that had once shaken the art world – the theft of hundreds of illuminated manuscripts from the city’s library in 1984. With the Klimt painting recovered and the Ricci Oddi gallery rejoicing, maybe the lost illuminated manuscripts of Piacenza’s library will soon find their way back home too.

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