[MSN] Museum theft. THE Art Gallery of NSW has given up hope of recovering a 17th-century Dutch painting that was stolen last June, and is looking for a picture to fill the gap.

[Museum Security Network Mailing list]

Capon fears for Cavalier 

| August 29, 2007 
THE Art Gallery of NSW has given up hope of recovering a 17th-century Dutch
painting that was stolen last June, and is looking for a picture to fill the
gap.

The gallery has lodged a claim with state insurers for the missing picture,
A Cavalier (self-portrait) by Frans van Mieris I. 

The tiny masterpiece - it measures 30cm by 26cm - was unscrewed from gallery
walls during opening hours on June 10. At the time of the theft, it was said
to be valued at $1.4 million. 

"I've got to be perfectly honest, I'm not optimistic about seeing it again,"
the gallery's director, Edmund Capon, said yesterday. 

Police investigations into the theft are continuing. 

"I think they've probably done all they can in the sense of keeping in touch
with the (law enforcement) agencies around the world," Mr Capon said. 

"But that's only effective if it surfaces, and I actually don't think it's
going to surface." 

Mr Capon had happier news to report: a $4 million donation for new public
galleries. 

The donation - from the Belgiorno-Nettis family, founders of construction
company Transfield - was the biggest single gift the gallery had received. 

It will be put towards new exhibition space: 1000sqm, to be known as the
Franco and Amina Belgiorno-Nettis and Family Contemporary Galleries. 

Stored artworks will be moved off-site to make room for the new space. 

Mr Capon said additional funds were needed for the project. 

Franco Belgiorno-Nettis, a former trustee of the AGNSW and founder of the
Sydney Biennale, died last year, aged 91. 

His widow, Amina, said the new galleries were "recognition of his
contribution". 

Mrs Belgiorno-Nettis said she had deep affection for the AGNSW. An Italian
migrant who couldn't speak English in the 1950s, she visited the gallery to
feel connected to the world of culture. 

Mr Capon and former gallery president David Gonski had started discussions
for the expansion with the Belgiorno-Nettis family last year. 

"The great Medici dynasty of Sydney runs on," Mr Capon said. 

The stolen van Mieris painting was a gift to the AGNSW from another
philanthropist, James Fairfax, and was displayed in a part of the gallery
without security cameras. 

Mr Capon said insurance funds were available and he and Mr Fairfax were
discussing the purchase of another picture.

http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/