Stolen painting found in Spielberg’s home

Agents with the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Art Crime Team (ACT) have located an original Norman Rockwell painting, “Russian Schoolroom,” stolen during a burglary in Clayton, Mo., in 1973. It was found in the home of movie mogul Steven Spielberg, who was unaware it was stolen art, according to Roland J. Corvington, special agent in charge of the FBI’s St. Louis field office, and J. Stephen Tidwell, assistant director in the FBI’s Los Angeles office.

At the time of theft, the painting was part of a Norman Rockwell exhibit being sponsored by the Chicago’s Circle Galleries, now known as Arts International Galleries.

Records for the “Russian Schoolroom” indicate that the painting’s location was unknown between 1973, after the theft, and 1988. In Oct. 1988, “Russian Schoolroom” was sold at auction in New Orleans. In 2004, agents with the FBI’s ACT determined the painting had been advertised for sale at a Norman Rockwell exhibit in New York in 1989.

Acting on this information, the FBI’s ACT in St. Louis said it initiated a “cold case” investigation to locate and recover the artwork. Investigative leads were followed by FBI agents in New York and Los Angeles. A description and photograph of the painting was posted on the FBI ACT’s Web site at www.fbi.gov.

While the FBI’s ACT were following leads to find the painting, the staff of motion picture director and producer, Steven Spielberg, learned that the painting, which was in Spielberg’s collection, was stolen after it viewed an FBI theft notice. Spielberg’s staff immediately notified the FBI about the painting’s whereabouts.

Spielberg purchased the painting in 1989 from a legitimate dealer and did not become aware that it was a stolen work of art until late February. Spielberg is cooperating with the FBI and will retain possession of the painting until its disposition can be determined. The investigation is continuing.