Dutch police probe ‘sophisticated theft’ of Isaac Israels paintings

THE HAGUE (JTA) — Dutch police are investigating the “sophisticated theft” of two artworks by the famous Dutch Jewish painter Isaac Israels.

The paintings are worth approximately $250,000, police said Wednesday.

Police reportedly believe two middle-aged men stole the paintings from the home of a collector in The Hague. The men told the 68-year-old collector that they had been sent to fetch the paintings for restoration.

The collector told police that he had planned to send the paintings to the conservator named by the two men.

Shortly after giving the Isaac Israels paintings to the two men, the collector became suspicious and called the police, who instructed him to call the conservator. The conservator said he had not sent anyone to the collector’s home.

Israels died in The Hague in 1934 at the age of 69. His father, Jozef Israels, also was a famous painter who was renowned for his depictions of Jewish life in Europe in the 19th century.

Upon inspecting his collection with forensics experts, the collector said three additional paintings were missing. Police are investigating whether the suspected robbers stole the paintings as well during their short stay at the collector’s home.

In June, The Hague saw the opening of a new exhibition of works by Isaac Israels. The paintings are presented in five prominent art museums across the city.