Iconic Churchill Photo Stolen in Canada, Found in Italy, Ready to Return

In a significant moment for Canadian-Italian relations, the recovery of a renowned photo portrait of Winston Churchill, dubbed “The Roaring Lion,” was celebrated on Thursday in Rome. The portrait, stolen in Canada, was retrieved in Italy following an extensive two-year police investigation.

The handover took place during a ceremony at the Canadian Embassy in Rome. Italian carabinieri police presented the portrait to Elissa Goldberg, Canada’s ambassador to Italy. Goldberg expressed her appreciation for the collaboration between the investigators from both countries that facilitated the recovery of such a historical piece.

Originally captured by renowned Ottawa photographer Yousuf Karsh in 1941, the portrait is now preparing to return to its rightful place at the Fairmont Château Laurier in Ottawa, the hotel from which it was taken. This iconic image will once again be on display, celebrating its historical significance.

According to Canadian police, the portrait was stolen from the hotel during the period between Christmas 2021 and January 6, 2022. In a deceptive act, the original was replaced with a forgery. The theft was discovered months later, in August, when a hotel employee noticed something amiss; the frame was oddly hung and didn’t match the surrounding pieces.

Nicola Cassinelli, a lawyer based in Genoa, Italy, unknowingly purchased the portrait in May 2022 during an online auction held by Sotheby’s for the sum of 5,292 British pounds. He was later contacted by the auction house in October, which instructed him not to sell or transfer the portrait due to ongoing inquiries related to its theft in Ottawa.

Attending the ceremony, Cassinelli shared his experience. Initially thinking he acquired a standard print, he was eager to return the portrait to its original home once he understood its backstory. “I immediately decided to return it to the Chateau Laurier,” he commented, emphasizing the deep connection that the image had with both the hotel and Yousuf Karsh himself.

The image of Churchill was taken during an official visit to the Canadian Parliament in December 1941, a significant event that contributed to launching Karsh’s career. The photographer would go on to capture the likeness of numerous influential figures, including Albert Einstein, Queen Elizabeth, and Nelson Mandela.

In 1998, Yousuf Karsh and his wife Estrellita gifted a signed original print of this iconic portrait to the Fairmont Château Laurier. The couple had spent nearly two decades living and working in a studio within the hotel, further cementing its importance in Karsh’s life and work.

Expressing her gratitude during the ceremony, Geneviève Dumas, the general manager of the Fairmont Château Laurier, said she was incredibly thankful to all those involved in resolving the case and ensuring the portrait’s safe return. “I would like to extend my deepest gratitude to everybody involved in solving this case and ensuring the safe return of this priceless piece of history,” she remarked.

In connection with the theft, Canadian authorities arrested a 43-year-old man from Powassan, Ontario, in April. He faces several charges, including forgery, theft over $5,000, and trafficking in property obtained by crime exceeding $5,000. Due to a publication ban, the man’s identity has not been disclosed.

This recovery marks a significant victory for law enforcement on both sides of the Atlantic and highlights the enduring legacy of Winston Churchill, as well as the importance of collaborative international efforts in resolving cases of art theft.