Stolen Rockwell Original Finds Its Way into Director Spielberg Collection

Hollywood Direct Steven Spielberg received shocking news when it was revealed that his pride and joy Norman Rockwell painting was listed as a stolen art piece missing since it was taken in 1973. The St. Louis branch of the Federal Bureau of Investigation conducts ongoing investigations in attempts to recovery stolen painting in particular the Norman Rockwell paintings. The painting was stolen in 1973 from a St. Louis gallery.

A legitimate art dealer sold the painting in 1989. The purchaser in that transaction as confirmed by the FBI was in fact Spielberg. The Bureau of Investigation was certain that Spielberg's treasured Rockwell painting was legitimately purchased by him. The Oscar winning director seems to have had no indication he was purchasing a previously stolen piece of art and could only be as surprised as the investigators were to find the stolen painting amongst his extensive art collection.

A staff member of Spielberg identified the painting as one of the many Rockwell's in the director's private collection from an FBI special alert issued. Spielberg essentially discovered the painting was stolen art following the photographic posting made on the FBI Web site. The FBI Art Crime Team who was able to immediately identify the stolen painting confirmed the match on Friday. If it were not for the full FBI posted description of the painting the discovery might have never been made.

The Norman Rockwell painting is entitled the "Russian Schoolroom." The stolen painting is confirmed to be an estimated value of $700,000, the FBI said in a statement. The FBI has an excellent track record when it comes to recovery of precious stolen works of art. To date the FBI's local art team has recovered as many as 121 stolen pieces at an approximate total value of $5 million. The Rockwell painting found in the private collection of Spielberg has undoubtedly brought satisfaction to the diligent task team and ends the riddle of whatever happen to the stolen so long ago masterpiece.