A 14th-century depiction of Saint
Ambrose that was stolen from Bologna's Pinacoteca museum on
March 10 has been recovered by Carabinieri art cops, the police
force said on Friday.
The precious artwork was removed while the museum was open in
a brazen robbery.
In the operation coordinated by Bologna investigators, the
art cops also recovered a 13th-century work, 'Crocifissione e
Discesa al Limbo' (Crucifixion and Descent from Limbo), stolen
in February from the Faenza Pinacoteca, and 'Ritratto di Donna'
(Portrait of a Woman), a 17th century piece taken from Imola's
Museo Civico S.Domenico in March.
A 50-year-old Bologna man is under investigation for
allegedly stealing all three works, which have an estimated
combined value of at least 600,000 euros.
Police said the works were found wrapped in cloths hidden in
a wardrobe.
"It's an important recovery that confirms the excellence of
the Italian system and of the Carabinieri's heritage unit," said
Culture Minister Dario Franceschini.
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