CNN —A painting older than the US Constitution was returned to its rightful owner this month – more than 50 years after being stolen by mobsters, the FBI said in a news release.
“The Schoolmistress,” by English painter John Opie, was found among items in a 2021 estate sale.
The FBI returned the painting to the family of Dr. Earl Leroy Wood earlier this month.
“It was a well-done painting.”It took more than two years for Wood’s family to find the documentation proving the painting belonged to them.
The FBI delivered the work of art to Wood’s son, 96-year-old Dr. Francis Wood, on January 11.
Persons:
John Opie, Gerald Festa, Dr, Earl Leroy Wood, Joseph Covello, “, Emily Stauffer, Francis Wood, ”, Gary France
Organizations:
CNN, FBI, KUTV
Locations:
Lake City, Covello’s Florida