Police question ex-butler over artworks seized in Portuguese house
- On Friday, Portuguese police seized 278 artworks from a house in Penalva do Castelo during 'Operation Butler,' including pieces attributed to Pablo Picasso and Joan Miro.
- Police are questioning the former butler of a deceased owner who lived in Penalva and died in 2024, suspecting him of attempting to sell items from the collection.
- The collection includes sculptures and artifacts attributed to 27 different artists, ranging from German Renaissance master Albrecht Durer to British Pop Art painter David Hockney.
- Experts from the National Museum Machado de Castro are assisting police to authenticate the seized pieces, as their legal and historical status remains unconfirmed.
- Police have not filed charges as 'Operation Butler' continues, with authentication results crucial for determining the scope of any future legal actions.
25 Articles
25 Articles
Blame the butler: Portuguese police seize art treasure trove
Police in Portugal have seized 278 artworks and artifacts, including paintings possibly by Pablo Picasso and Joan Miro, at a house in central Portugal after the former butler of their late owner tried to sell some on the black market.
Operation Butler: A Treasure Trove of Art Seized in Portugal
Portuguese police have seized 278 artworks, potentially by renowned artists such as Picasso and Miro, from a residence. The former butler of the late owner is under investigation for allegedly attempting to sell them. Authorities are working with experts to verify the art's authenticity, amid ongoing inquiries.
Police question ex-butler over artworks seized in Portuguese house
Police said on Friday they had seized 278 artworks, including paintings possibly by Pablo Picasso and Joan Miro, at a house in Portugal, and were questioning the former butler of the late owner on suspicion of trying to sell some of them.
PJ found and seized 278 works of art allegedly signed by artists such as Pablo Picasso or Joan Miró.
Investigation of the PJ was opened a month ago, after placing on the market a small part of the 278 seized works have raised suspicions. Septuagenário de Penalva do Castelo appeared to sell them.
The hundreds of items - including those suspected of being paintings by Picasso and Dürer or archaeological finds dating back thousands of years - were found in an apartment in Penalva do Castelo.
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