cover image Art Theft and the Case of the Stolen Turners

Art Theft and the Case of the Stolen Turners

Sandy Nairne. Reaktion Books (www.reaktionbooks.co.uk), $29 (284p) ISBN 9781861898562

In this entertaining, thought-provoking book, Nairne (Director of London's National Portrait Gallery and former Director of Programmes at Tate Britain) details the saga of recovering two stolen paintings (valued at %C2%A312 million each) by the early 19th century English artist J.M.W. Turner. Stolen in Frankfurt, Germany in July 1994 while on loan from the Tate, the paintings were held hostage by thieves who demanded ransom money. Nairne explains that such behavior is typical in art thefts, with the collector thief of The Thomas Crown Affair more common in fiction than in real life. Over eight years, the thieves negotiated with Nairne through intermediaries, with cooperative effort by the German and British governments helping to ensure the paintings were returned to the Tate. Nairne documents the complex legal issues involved in negotiating a price with the criminals and then financing the deal, while also discussing the ethical issue posed when criminals (who are never brought to justice) are paid off through third-party intermediaries. (Sept.)