Mumbai Police has initiated an investigation into the alleged theft of a valuable painting worth Rs 50,000 titled “Eerie Green,” created by the late Irish American expressionist painter Michael J. Ryan. The complaint was lodged by Vanessa Ryan, the wife of the deceased artist and a well-known fashion designer at Colaba Police Station.
The incident came to light on January 9 when Vanessa Ryan approached the Colaba police station to register a complaint against an unknown person. According to Vanessa, the missing artwork was one of the 34 paintings displayed at the Jehangir Art Gallery. The painting, created by Michael J. Ryan, was exhibited several years ago in New York.
“My Late Husband, Irish-American artist, Michael. J. Ryan’s paintings were displayed in Jehangir Art gallery, out of the 34 displayed paintings, one painting titled Eerie Green was missing. The painting was exhibited several years ago in New York. I checked it everywhere however I found it missing hence I came forward to register a complaint,” Ryan (59), a fashion designer, said.
Ryan explained that she had engaged the services of Gaurav Frame Markers to frame some paintings and transport them to the Jehangir Art Gallery. The company had offered to arrange a tempo and transportation for the artworks. Vanessa suspects that the painting was stolen during transit.
The FIR states that Vanessa paid Rs. 800 to the representatives of Gaurav Frame Markers for their assistance in organizing the tempo and transport. While transporting the paintings, Vanessa had initially wanted to travel in the tempo with the pictures, but the company`s representative insisted she come separately in a taxi.
The displayed paintings were at the gallery from December 12 to December 18, after which 34 paintings were returned to Ryan`s office. Upon inspecting the paintings at her office, Vanessa discovered that the painting titled “Eerie Green” was missing. Despite searching in both the Jehangir Art Gallery and her office and residence, the painting remains unaccounted for.
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“I suspect Gaurav Frame’s representative is responsible for the theft. My husband had worked hard to make the painting and hence I want the painting back. It is one of my husband`s last memories,” she told midday online.
Michael J. Ryan, an Irish American expressionist painter, passed away in 2016. His artworks have been displayed both in India and abroad.
The Colaba police is still probing the matter and so far, no arrest has been made. “We are investigating the matter and are hopeful to make an arrest in this matter. An FIR has been registered under section 406 (Criminal Breach of Trust) against an unknown person,” a police officer said.
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