Custody Battle Erupts Over Stolen 16th-Century Italian Painting in England

A Norfolk widow refuses to return an Antonio Solario painting stolen from an Italian museum in 1973 despite its historical significance to the town of Belluno.

The painting, 'Madonna and Child' by Antonio Solario, was stolen from Belluno's Civic Museum in Italy in 1973 and later purchased in good faith by the late Baron de Dozsa.
The artwork is now owned by Barbara de Dozsa, the baron's ex-wife, who has refused to return it, citing legal ownership under UK law and personal grievances with the piece.
Efforts to recover the painting, led by art recovery specialist Christopher Marinello, have been hindered by a lack of timely response from Italian authorities and UK law enforcement treating the matter as a civil dispute.
The painting resurfaced in 2017 when de Dozsa attempted to auction it, leading to its identification as stolen art, though it was returned to her by Norfolk police in 2020 due to legal technicalities.
While the painting is valued at under £100,000, its cultural significance to Belluno and its association with Solario, a local artist, make its return a priority for the Italian museum.