Fri Sep 20 13:35:36 UTC 2024: ## Stolen Churchill Portrait Returned to Canada After Two-Year Odyssey
**ROME** – A stolen portrait of Winston Churchill, known as “The Roaring Lion,” has been successfully recovered in Italy and is now on its way back to Canada after a two-year international investigation.
The 1941 portrait by renowned photographer Yousuf Karsh was stolen from the Fairmont Château Laurier in Ottawa between Christmas 2021 and January 2022. It was replaced with a forgery, which was discovered months later by a hotel worker.
The portrait was eventually located in the possession of Italian lawyer Nicola Cassinelli, who had purchased it at a Sotheby’s online auction in May 2022. Cassinelli, unaware of the theft, was contacted by Sotheby’s in October 2022 and informed about the investigation.
“I immediately decided to return it to the Chateau Laurier,” said Cassinelli, who attended a ceremony at the Canadian Embassy in Rome where the portrait was formally returned to Canadian officials. “I think that if Karsh donated it to the hotel, it means he really wanted it to stay there.”
The portrait, taken during Churchill’s wartime visit to Canada, holds significant historical value. It played a pivotal role in launching Karsh’s career, who went on to photograph many other iconic figures of the 20th century.
Canadian authorities arrested a 43-year-old man from Powassan, Ontario, in April, charging him with stealing and trafficking the portrait. The man, whose name is protected by a publication ban, faces charges including forgery, theft over $5,000, and trafficking in property obtained by crime exceeding $5,000.
The successful recovery of the portrait is a testament to the collaborative efforts of Italian and Canadian investigators. The Fairmont Château Laurier is overjoyed to have the iconic image back on display, where it will once again stand as a reminder of Churchill’s legacy and Karsh’s enduring photographic talent.
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