[MSN] Massachusetts State Police Unit Investigating Theft Of Portraits

[Museum Security Network Mailinglist]

Massachusetts State Police Unit Investigating Theft Of Portraits

Pittsfield, Mass.
:The Berkshire County unit of the Massachusetts State Police is
investigating stolen artwork believed to have been pawned in the Hartford,
Conn., area last December.

Involved are two paintings.

The first is a framed oil on canvas portrait of Marie Elisabeth Johann
Erzherozog v. Oesterre, commissioned in 1793. The portrait size is 29½ by
23½ inches and the frame is dark gold with inlaid flowers. The background of
the portrait is dark. The sitter is portrayed as a young girl, 16 years of
age, with short blonde hair and blue eyes.

The girl is seen from the top of her head to her waist; she is looking
straight ahead at the viewer. She is wearing a bare shouldered blue corset
made of heavy fabric with gold highlights and her hands are in front of her.
On the back is written in German "Isabella von Oesterrich (Isabella of
Austria)."

A smaller painting is oil painted on wood, measuring approximately 12 by 8
inches. The frame is dark gold and plain. The background is dark brown or
black. A young girl is portrayed standing in a bedroom, wearing a long white
nightgown. She is looking down, braiding her hair with one hand while the
other hand holds a candle. Behind the girl on the left is a bed and
nightstand with candle. Behind her on the right is a bright spot in the
painting of a stained glass window, which is colorful and depicts a
religious image.

Anyone having information about the paintings is asked to contact Trooper
Michael Scott of the Massachusetts State Police at 413-499-1112 or
413-447-5531.

http://antiquesandthearts.com/