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Public alerted in hunt after £7,000 oil painting is stolen
POLICE are urging the public to help catch an art thief who stole a painting from a Hull museum.
The painting The Schooners Ellen Crawford and Dwina of Hull is by marine artist John Ward and is worth between 5,000 and 7,000. The oil, dated 1843, was taken just over a month ago from a wall in the Maritime Museum in Queen Victoria Square, and staff believe it was stolen to order.
Pc Matthew Tomlinson, of Humberside Police, said: "The painting taken is part of Hull's cultural heritage and I am asking for the public's assistance to help locate the painting and ensure it is returned back to the Maritime Museum, where it will be available to the public for many years to come."
Hull Council said last week it was reviewing security arrangements at its museums and had decided to remove other paintings of a similar size.
A spokeswoman said: "Somebody knew what they were coming for, we are sure of that."
Assistant head of culture and lifestyle Simon Green added: "We constantly review security across our museums service taking advice from insurers, government agencies and police. As a small painting it would have been inconspicuous to carry it out and it is a shame that as a security measure we have removed four other paintings of the same size.
"It is sad that we have had to restrict access in this way."
The painting has been put on the Art Loss Register. It is unsigned and measures 36cm by 22cm and is in a gilt frame measuring 48cm by 31cm.
Ward was the leading marine artist and ship portrait painter in Hull during the first half of the 19th century and his work is sought after. The painting was stolen between 3pm and 4pm on Wednesday June 17.
Anyone with information can call 0845 6060 222.
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