Recovery of Churchill’s Stolen Portrait: A Story of Art Theft

Churchill’s Stolen Portrait: A Tale of Art Theft and Recovery

For nearly thirty years, a striking portrait of Winston Churchill, with a fierce expression and a hand confidently placed on his hip, commanded attention in the lounge of the Fairmont Château Laurier hotel in Ottawa. This remarkable artwork was a testament to the legacy of Yousuf Karsh, a renowned portrait photographer celebrated for capturing the likenesses of royalty, politicians, artists, actors, and authors. Karsh had long resided in the hotel, where he operated his studio and generously lent several of his iconic prints to the establishment when he and his wife moved out in 1997.

However, just over two years ago, a routine inspection by a maintenance worker revealed an alarming discrepancy. The frame surrounding Churchill’s portrait did not match those of the other esteemed photos that Karsh had permanently entrusted to the hotel. Upon closer examination, it became evident that the framed image was a mere decoy—a poorly executed inkjet replica of the original print. To make matters worse, the signature attributed to Karsh was an inept forgery, left behind by a cunning thief.

In a turn of events that has reignited the excitement surrounding this stolen piece of art, Churchill’s portrait may soon find its way back to its rightful place. The Ottawa Police Service announced on Wednesday that an extensive international investigation had successfully traced the stolen portrait to Italy. An officer from the Ottawa Police is slated to travel there shortly to facilitate its retrieval.

The police also revealed that a man hailing from a small northern Ontario town was arrested in April and has since been charged with the theft, along with several other crimes, including forgery. This case serves as a reminder of the lengths to which some will go to claim a piece of cultural history, and the ongoing efforts to restore stolen art to its rightful home.