Stolen Art Watch, Bunny Hop Home, Sunlight Shines Again !!!

Morning police raid nabs long-lost Bunny

A RUPERT Bunny painting stolen almost 20 years ago has been recovered from a home in East Malvern where it was on display.

Police said an exhibition at the National Gallery of Victoria's Ian Potter Centre - that has been running since March - led to a tipoff about the location of the $200,000 work, which is known as Girl in Sunlight.

It was stolen in 1991 from a private collection in Blairgowrie and had not resurfaced.

Bunny was the best-known Australian painter of his generation and was highly regarded in Europe at the turn of last century for his paintings of women at leisure.

His works have sold for more than $1 million and he remains one of the most revered figures of Australian painting.

A 61-year-old man, who owned the house where the painting was found, was last night helping police, but they would not elaborate on his identity or how he might have obtained the work.

The painting was recovered about 7 o'clock yesterday morning after police knocked on the door of the suburban home and executed a search warrant, catching the home owner by surprise.

Detective Sergeant Lionel Joseph led a four-man investigation team after police received ''public assistance'' about a month ago.

The painting's owners were delighted their painting had finally been found, Detective Sergeant Joseph said.

''[They had] great joy that their painting has finally been recovered after so many years,'' he said.

''It is in pristine condition, like when it was stolen. It's great to see that the public are still vigilant about these things, and certainly without their assistance this matter wouldn't be solved.''

The 1913 painting depicts a woman, believed to be Bunny's French wife, Jeanne Morel, reading in a garden under a white parasol.

The pair married in 1902 while Bunny was living in France. After her death in 1933, he returned to Melbourne.

Bunny lived above some shops in Toorak Road, South Yarra, before his death in 1947.

Elena Taylor, curator of Australian art at the NGV, said the stolen painting was not well known.

But she said it was painted during the Belle Epoque (''the beautiful era'', the years leading up to World War I), and was typical of many of his works.

''He had the greatest European reputation at the time … among all Australians,'' Ms Taylor said.

''He is particularly known for his paintings of beautiful women at leisure. Very beautiful, charming paintings are the paintings he is best known for.''

Art Hostage Comments:

The story behind this recovery is interesting and all will be revealed soon.
A tale of deceit, anger and redemption.