Caravaggio’s Judas Kiss stolen in Odessa two years ago likely found in Germany
Odessa.– A painting by Italian Renaissance painter Michelangelo de Caravaggio The Taking of Christ or Judas Kiss stolen in Odessa is likely found in Germany.
On June 25, three Ukrainian residents were detained there with the stolen painting. Today, the question of their extradition and the painting’s return to the museum is being settled, Ukrainian media told on Sunday evening with the reference to sources in the regional Ministry of Interior.
Caravaggio The Taking of Christ or Judas Kiss
Meanwhile, the Ministry’s regional administration and Odessa museum have not confirmed this information to Interfax.
On July 31, 2008, one of the most valuable in Odessa paintings was stolen from the Museum of Western and Eastern Art. Some experts say the painting may cost up to $100mln in “black market.” However, others assure that this painting at most is the author’s copy while the original is kept in the National Gallery of Ireland.
Updated: The Police arrested four members of an international gang of art thieves in the German capital.
Police said Monday the painting was recovered Friday after they arrested four men – three Ukrainians and a Russian – as they tried to sell it to an interested buyer in Berlin.
The 16th-century painting – “The Taking of Christ, or the Kiss of Judas” – is worth several million euros (dollars) and was stolen from the Museum of Western and Eastern Art at the Ukrainian city of Odessa in July 2008.
German federal police say the arrests were made in cooperation with Ukrainian police and that another 20 suspected art thieves were arrested in Ukraine.
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