Art detective finds stolen Van Gogh painting 'Spring Garden' after three years

More than three years after it was stolen from a museum that was shut to prevent the spread of the coronavirus, a Vincent Van Gogh painting has been recovered by an art sleuth in an Ikea bag on September 12. The painting named Parsonage Garden at Nuenen in Spring, also known as the Spring Garden, was snatched from the Singer Laren Museum on March 30, 2020.

According to Sky News, the museum is about 30km (19 miles) east of Amsterdam. Thieves broke glass doors during an overnight raid to take the 1884 artwork, which was on loan from the Groninger Museum, in the city of Groningen, around 180km (112 miles) from the Dutch capital.

Vincent Van Gogh's painting found after three years

Taking to X, formerly known as Twitter, art detective Arthur Brand wrote, " Vincent van Gogh is back! In close coordination with the Dutch Police, I was able to recover Van Gogh's 'Spring Garden' (1884). The painting was stolen 3 years ago on Van Goghs birthday from the Singer Museum in Laren, the Netherlands. A great day for all Van Gogh lovers worldwide." With the tweet, he had shared an attached photo in which one can see Brand holding the stolen painting.  

Vincent van Gogh is back! In close coordination with Dutch Police I was able to recover Van Goghs 'Spring Garden' (1884). The painting was stolen 3 years ago on Van Goghs birthday from the Singer Museum in Laren, the Netherlands. A great day for all Van Gogh lovers worldwide...… pic.twitter.com/7Fh0s0AOUr

— Arthur Brand (art detective) (@brand_arthur) September 12, 2023

According to the authorities of the museum, it has "suffered but is - at first glance - still in good condition." In this long investigation, the museum has called Dutch art sleuth Arthur Brand for his "key role in this case". However, the authorities have not provided further information on how the painting was recovered. Brand, who is popularly known as the "Indian Jones of the art world", has been seen in footage on the Dutch national broadcaster NOS as he takes the painting out of the Ikea bag, unwraps it and shows it to the camera. 

'Extremely happy and relieved': Director Andreas Bluhm 

On the recovery of the stolen painting, Director Andreas Bluhm said in a statement: "The museum is extremely happy and relieved that the work is back. We are very grateful to everyone to contributed to this good outcome." Further, the museum director shared that the police have also played a crucial role as they were closely involved in all phases. 

The oil painting will be subject to scientific examination in the coming months, reported Sky News. An insurance company paid the Groninger Museum for the loss and is now the formal owner, although the museum has said it will exercise its right to first purchase of the work. The actual amount of the painting has not been revealed. As per the Museum authorities, they hope to put the painting on display soon, but it could take "weeks, if not months".