A long-lost Renaissance painting stolen from a small Italian museum more than 50 years ago has resurfaced in the English countryside — but the British owner is refusing to give it back.
The 16th-century painting, Madonna and Child by Antonio Solario, vanished in 1973 from the civic museum in Belluno, a town nestled in the Dolomites of northern Italy. Though the original thief remains unknown, the painting eventually ended up in the hands of a British aristocrat, the late Baron de Dozsa, who brought it home to his Tudor manor in Norfolk.
Now, it sits in the possession of his ex-wife, Barbara de Dozsa — who, despite admitting she doesn’t like it, won’t let it go.
A Quiet House, a Loud Dispute
According to Euronews, art lawyer Christopher Marinello, founder of Art Recovery International, is leading efforts to return the painting to Belluno.
He says de Dozsa isn’t even fond of the piece, telling him, “It reminds her of her ex-husband,” and that she doesn’t display it.
“She never really liked it,” Marinello said, clearly frustrated. “But she still won’t hand it over.”
The painting's reappearance came after de Dozsa reportedly tried to sell it at an auction house in England, where it was flagged as a stolen item listed on Interpol’s database. But instead of being confiscated and returned to Italy, it was handed back to de Dozsa.
Why the Painting Wasn’t Seized
According to Marinello, British authorities—acting on guidance from judicial officials—declined to pursue the matter, citing a lack of follow-up from Italian authorities over the years.
A spokesperson for Norfolk Constabulary confirmed that they are not currently investigating the case.
This decision has sparked anger and disappointment among art restitution advocates and Italian cultural heritage supporters, who see the painting as a valuable piece of local history.
While Solario’s works have fetched six-figure sums at auction, Madonna and Child is not considered a masterpiece on the scale of a Rembrandt or da Vinci.
“It’s probably worth less than £100,000,” Marinello estimates. “But it has a value beyond its monetary value. Solario was from the area, so it’s very important to the people of Belluno.”
For the people of this small Italian town, the painting represents more than artistic prestige — it’s a cultural link to the region’s history and identity.
A Personal Mission
Marinello has made the case personal.
With family ties to the Belluno region, he says he’s committed to seeing the artwork returned where it belongs.
“I decided I was going to stick my two cents in and interfere,” he said.
Having helped recover stolen works by artists like Henri Matisse and Henry Moore, Marinello is no stranger to difficult cases — but this one has proved uniquely frustrating.
Despite the legal hurdles and apparent apathy from both the UK and Italian authorities, Marinello remains hopeful. He believes public pressure — and perhaps a change of heart — could still bring Madonna and Child back to Belluno.
