Italian police have recovered two Van Gogh paintings stolen during a dramatic raid on the Van Gogh Museum in Amsterdam museum in December, 2002. They were in the possession of the Naples mafia. The theft from the walls in the main exhibition hall was baffling because guards were on patrol and infra red security systems were in operation. This led to criticism of security at the world’s most important art museums.The two works had been on loan to the museum from the Dutch government. Neither was insured. They are valued at around $100 million.

Vincent van Gogh – View of the Sea at Scheveningen.

Vincent van Gogh – Congregation Leaving the Reformed Church in Nuenen, 1884