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The Miami Art Journal

The House

Eastman Johnson works recovered after half-century absence

The Editors ·

Eastman Johnson works recovered after half-century absence

A report this week confirms the recovery of two oil paintings by Eastman Johnson, stolen from separate New York City galleries nearly fifty years ago. The works, Young Mother (circa 1873) and Mary and Her Lamb (1877), were identified by art dealer Brandon Levine, who operates in Long Island. Levine spotted the pieces within a private estate collection and brought the matter to the attention of Sandra Germain at Shannon’s Fine Art Auctioneers in Connecticut.

The auction house verified that the paintings had been reported stolen in 1978. The family that had inherited the works was unaware of their provenance; their parents had purchased the items as antique collectors without knowledge of their criminal history. Germain noted the shock of the family upon learning the true status of the acquisitions.

Young Mother was stolen on May 6, 1978, from Hirschl & Adler Galleries. Mary and Her Lamb was reported missing on April 27, 1978, from the defunct Kenneth Lux Gallery. Experts estimate the collective value of the two paintings at $200,000. There is no indication that the two thefts are connected.

Born in Maine in 1824, Johnson remains a significant figure in American art history. The recovery highlights the role of professional diligence in the art market, as Levine and Germain acted to return the works to their rightful context.

The report concludes that the outcome reflects a positive resolution where all parties acted correctly. In the art world, such cooperation is not always the standard, making this recovery a notable instance of ethical practice in the handling of stolen cultural property.

Source: Artforum