A work by Jean-Paul Reubel lauded for his “precious” and “unique” character has been found in Mirabel, 17 years after it was stolen along with three other pieces that remain untraceable.
The Quebec secretariat announced on Friday that it had regained work during a search on July 20 by investigators from the Economic Crimes Investigation Service at a home in Mirabel.
This research could make it possible to clarify the file of theft of tens of thousands of dollars that was committed in the studio of the illustrious painter in Quebec, in 2005, in Sainte-Marguerite-du-Lac-Masson in the Laurentians,
According to a former detective sergeant who specializes in art theft, Alain LaCourcier, a neighbor at the time was alerted by an alarm system before the thieves could get to the main works.
According to our sources, the information that led to the search on Mirabel came from a member of the public.
” Unique “
In a press release published on Friday, SQ spoke of a lithograph, but according to gallery owner Simon Bliss, who shared expertise on this work shortly after discovering it, it really is about what we can call an original work.
“It is actually acrylic made on a print from the 1970s, a technique that Riopelle often indulged in in the 1980s,” Mr. Blais explained, estimating that the work is worth twenty thousand dollars.
Image courtesy SQ
The “unique” work found by Sûreté du Québec is worth about $20,000 according to an expert.
For her part, Canadian technologist Sophie Ole says that what was found was an “improved” or “mixed-tech” lithograph, because Reubel added details to it by hand after printing.
“When it is enhanced in color, it becomes unique. In the exhibition, we will ask for more because there is only one like that. It becomes more valuable.”
According to Ms. Ouellet, Riopelle’s lithographs are in particular demand by gallery owners, because they are “very thoughtful and very limited”.
“He is one of the only Canadian artists to have preserved such a high value for lithography.”
$100,000 worth of artwork missing
Currently, no one has been arrested in connection with the 2005 flight, SQ notes.
Image courtesy SQ
This “mixed media” piece, still missing after the 2005 theft, is said to be worth over $100,000.
At least two of the three works are still missing (look at the pictures) are also mixed media considered original works, dating from 1983 and 1985. The 1983 value is more than $100,000, according to Simon Blaise, while the 1985 is about $25,000. At least three of the four works stolen in 2005 have not been named. SQ has not released any information about the fourth work.
Image courtesy SQ
This other work stolen from the artist, made in 1985, is worth $25,000
According to our information, the investigators received the residents of the place where the seizure took place. It is not excluded that the work in question passed through the hands of several people before it ended up in Mirabell’s residence.
►SQ invites anyone with information about the 2005 theft or in connection with business required to contact the Criminal Information Center at 1800-659-4264.
Who is Jean Paul Reubel?
Image copyright Canada Library and Archives
Painter Jean-Paul Reubel in his studio in Sainte-Marguerite-du-Lac-Masson, photographed circa 1976.
Jean Paul Reubel is one of the greatest Quebec and Canadian artists in history. Born in Montreal in 1923, he was one of the first Canadian artists to enjoy international fame. His most wonderful cloth, Meeting point, has been shown since 2021 at the Rideau Hall ballroom, where the Governor General of Canada resides. The artist, who died in 2002, was the subject of an exhibition entirely devoted to him last year at the Montreal Museum of Fine Arts.
“Amateur entrepreneur. Professional internet expert. Zombie maven. Incurable pop culture scholar.”
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