Eastman Johnson Paintings Stolen in 1978 Recovered After Nearly 50 Years
After nearly 50 years, two paintings by Eastman Johnson, a 19th-century American artist, have been recovered. The stolen artworks, Mary and Her Lamb (1877) and The Young Mother (c. 1872–73), were discovered in an estate collection on Long Island. Antiques dealer Brandon Levine recognized the artist's initials and reached out to Sandra Germain at Shannon's Fine Art Auctioneers. A provenance investigation confirmed the theft, with validation from the Art Loss Register. The family holding the paintings agreed to surrender them, and Germain identified the rightful owners: Hirschl & Adler Galleries and Daniel Lux, son of Kenneth Lux. Their total value is estimated to be as much as $200,000, underscoring the significance of provenance research.
Key facts
- Two Eastman Johnson paintings stolen in 1978 from New York galleries have been recovered.
- The paintings are Mary and Her Lamb (1877) and The Young Mother (c. 1872–73).
- The works were found in an inherited estate collection on Long Island.
- Antiques dealer Brandon Levine noticed Johnson's initials and initiated the investigation.
- Sandra Germain of Shannon's Fine Art Auctioneers assisted in the provenance research.
- The Eastman Johnson Catalogue Raisonné and the Art Loss Register confirmed the theft.
- The Young Mother was stolen from Hirschl & Adler Galleries; Mary and Her Lamb from Kenneth Lux Gallery.
- The paintings are valued at up to $200,000 combined.
- The recovery was achieved through cooperation, not a police raid.
- The paintings have been returned to Hirschl & Adler Galleries and Daniel Lux, son of Kenneth Lux.
Entities
Artists
- Eastman Johnson
Institutions
- Shannon's Fine Art Auctioneers
- Hirschl & Adler Galleries
- Kenneth Lux Gallery
- Eastman Johnson Catalogue Raisonné
- Art Loss Register
Locations
- New York
- Long Island
- Milford
- Connecticut