TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – A 400-year-old masterpiece work of art taken illegally from its owners in Nazi-occupied France during World War II was returned today to the family from which it was stolen more than 70 years ago.
Officials from U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s (ICE) Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Florida, and Interpol Washington’s U.S. National Central Bureau attended a ceremony in Tallahassee April 18 to return the rare painting by Girolamo de’ Romani, known as Romanino, to the Gentili family.
HSI Special Agent in Charge Susan McCormick and U.S. Attorney Pamela Marsh officially signed over custody of the painting the same day to the Gentili heirs’ legal representative, Maître Corinne Hershkovitch, who traveled from France to receive the artwork.
The painting, “Cristo Portacroce” (Christ Carrying the Cross), which dates to circa 1538, depicts Christ, crowned with thorns and wearing a striking copper-colored silk robe, carrying the cross on his right shoulder while being dragged with a rope by a soldier.
“Thanks to the tireless efforts of those involved, we are now righting a wrong perpetrated more than 70 years ago,” said McCormick. “HSI will continue to investigate cases involving stolen art and cultural property from around the world and return the objects to their rightful owners.”
Professor Lionel Salem, one of the heirs of the Gentili estate, could not be present for the ceremony but expressed his appreciation to the Department of Homeland Security for their “fantastic work” in investigating and pursuing the family’s interest in the Romanino painting: “I am so deeply grateful for the efforts of DHS on this matter,” he said. “The Gentili heirs are unanimous in wishing to convey the full extent of their immense gratitude.”
“Today, during this momentous occasion, I commend the outstanding collaborative efforts of ICE/HSI, the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Florida, and Interpol Washington for locating and returning this 400-year-old priceless piece of artwork to the Gentili family where it belongs. When law enforcement agencies partner and pull their respective resources, much can be accomplished at all levels,” stated Interpol Washington Director Timothy A. Williams.
The painting was imported into the United States in March 2011 for temporary exhibit at the Mary Brogan Museum of Art and Science in Tallahassee. Following a lead from Interpol that called the painting’s ownership into question, HSI special agents consulted the U.S. Attorney’s Office and seized the painting at the museum Nov. 4, 2011, to protect the art until ownership could be confirmed through formal legal proceedings. B-roll of the seizure can be downloaded at http://dvidshub.net/r/zij5if.
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