Two notable masterpieces looted from the historic Peruvian church, La Nuestra Senora de la Asuncion, 12 years ago, are finally returned to the country's authorities thanks to help from New York's US Homeland Security office and the Manhattan District Attorney's Antiquities Trafficking Unit (ATU).
How the Two Peruvian Masterpieces Were Stolen
The two pieces, which are known as "Flight to Egypt" and "The Pilgrim Virgin," and were made by unidentified painters, were taken from the venerable church in the town of Juli in Southern Peru back in 2012.
According to a public release by Manhattan's DA Office, the two paintings were then trafficked into Manhattan shortly after to be auctioned off.
The investigation set out by the two US offices started in the latter half of 2023, following reports that they were set to be sold by the New York auction house Doyle, as part of its "20th Century Abstraction/Latin American Art" sale.
As per Artnet, both paintings were estimated to sell around the $7,000 to $12,000 price range at the October 11 auction.
However, they were pulled out from the auction after Peruvian journalist David Hidalgo of Ojo Público recognized the pieces and consequently alerted the auction house of their stolen status. Doyle, in turn, reported the incident to the concerned authorities.
Of the auction house's contribution, Doyle's Senior Vice President for Marketing and Media Louis LeB. Webre said: "We are proud of the active role we played in the recovery of these two works of art."
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A Case Solved Through International Collaboration
According to the release, the whole operation was led by Manhattan District Attorney Alvin L. Bragg, Jr. through constant communication and cooperation with the Peruvian authorities.
"The protection, recovery, and return of our cultural heritage is a permanent policy of the Republic of Peru," said Marita Landaveri, Consul General of Peru in New York.
"We are deeply grateful for the cooperation of New York authorities in the successful recovery of two significant colonial paintings, which will soon be returned to the people of Peru," she added. "This collaboration underscores our ongoing commitment to combating the trafficking of cultural heritage, and we anticipate continued partnership in these vital efforts."
Under Attorney Bragg's tenure alone, the ATU has helped recover 1,200 antiquities that were stolen from over 25 countries, all of which have a collective estimated value of just about $225 million.
HSI New York Acting Special Agent in Charge Erin Keegan, who also had a hand in the investigations that ensued, said: "We are proud to begin the process of turning an atrocious act of stolen religious artwork taken from a sacred place to a parable with a peaceable ending."
"Whether here in New York or a continent away, HSI New York's Cultural Property, Art, and Antiquities Group and our law enforcement partners are unendingly committed to reuniting people and nations with their stolen historical artifacts," he continued.
