ArtNet news recently reported that the painting of a slumbering child painted by American illustrator Norman Rockwell (pictured below) has been returned to its rightful owners by the FBI. The recently recovered work has been known by various titles over the years including Taking a Break, Lazybones, and Boy Asleep with Hoe.
The painting was owned by the Grant family for nearly 20 years before it was stolen in 1976. Last year, the FBI issued a press release marking the 40th anniversary of the theft of the painting. In response to the press release, an antiques dealer contacted the Bureau’s art crimes division to say he thought he might be in possession of the work in question. The anonymous dealer handed over the Rockwell and is not believed to have been involved in the theft or subject to any charges.
The painting sold in the 1950s for $100, but the current fair market value of the work could be as much as $1 million.
Read more here.