Mystery Persists as Missing Swiss Paintings Reappear 

A man walks past the entrance of the Kunsthaus Zurich art museum on March 14, 2023. (AFP)
A man walks past the entrance of the Kunsthaus Zurich art museum on March 14, 2023. (AFP)
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Mystery Persists as Missing Swiss Paintings Reappear 

A man walks past the entrance of the Kunsthaus Zurich art museum on March 14, 2023. (AFP)
A man walks past the entrance of the Kunsthaus Zurich art museum on March 14, 2023. (AFP)

One of the Switzerland's top art museums announced Sunday the return of two paintings that went missing last year, refusing to provide details in a case still under investigation.

Kunsthaus Zurich offered in June 2023 a reward of 10,000 Swiss francs ($11,100) for information that could help it track one painting by Flemish painter Robert van den Hoecke and another by the Dutch Golden Age artist Dirck de Bray.

The small paintings disappeared when the Kunsthaus took down more than 700 works for cleaning and restoration after a fire broke out in August 2022.

But no trace of the two paintings could later be found.

On Sunday, the museum said only that its restoration experts had confirmed both paintings were in "good condition", with no indication of how or when they turned up.

Because of ongoing police inquiries, "no further information will be released for the time being," the Kunsthaus said.

Museum officials had alerted the missing works to the Art Loss Register, the world's largest database of lost and stolen pieces.



‘Arts Telling Stories’ Exhibition Showcases Saudi Heritage under Year of Handicrafts 2025

The exhibition is part of the “Year of Handicrafts 2025” initiatives launched by the Ministry of Culture. SPA
The exhibition is part of the “Year of Handicrafts 2025” initiatives launched by the Ministry of Culture. SPA
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‘Arts Telling Stories’ Exhibition Showcases Saudi Heritage under Year of Handicrafts 2025

The exhibition is part of the “Year of Handicrafts 2025” initiatives launched by the Ministry of Culture. SPA
The exhibition is part of the “Year of Handicrafts 2025” initiatives launched by the Ministry of Culture. SPA

The "Arts Telling Stories" Exhibition in Madinah serves as a cultural platform that narrates Saudi stories through authentic handicrafts, the Saudi Press Agency reported on Tuesday.

It said that the exhibition is part of the “Year of Handicrafts 2025” initiatives launched by the Ministry of Culture.

The exhibition features a diverse collection of handcrafted creations that reflect the identity of the local community. Elements of heritage are embodied in palm-based crafts such as baskets, incense burners, and decorative pieces, telling the story of the historical bond between people and palm trees in the environment of Madinah.

The exhibition also showcases wooden artwork, including decorated boxes, vases, and household items crafted with techniques that blend traditional sensibility with modern innovation. It features colorful pottery pieces reflecting folk art, inspired by the colors and landscapes of the region’s geography.

The exhibition represents a valuable addition to the local cultural scene, reflecting the Ministry of Culture’s efforts to activate the role of traditional arts in fostering community awareness and encouraging the younger generation to connect with their cultural roots.