A British painting stolen by mobsters is returned to the owner’s son — 54 years later

By MATTHEW BROWN
Associated Press

An 18th century British painting stolen by mobsters in 1969 has been returned more than a half-century later to the family that bought the painting during the Great Depression. “The Schoolmistress” by John Opie is the sister painting of a similar work housed in the Tate Britain art gallery in London. FBI’s Salt Lake City field office announced Friday that it was returned to the son of a New Jersey doctor who originally bought it for $7,500. Opie was a British historical and portrait painter who portrayed many people, including British royals.