Lovers on the Seine mystery continues
The mystery surrounding one of Rolf Harris's most celebrated paintings looks set to continue, with the court's latest decision having been appealed against. Lovers on the Seine, which is valued at about £100,000, has not been seen since 2005 after it vanished from a holding warehouse.
Its disappearance was noted when the owner died and his wife asked the warehouse owners Washington Green Fine Art to return 18 items. Only 17 appeared.
Following a lengthy legal battle, the holding company has been ordered to pay for the value of the painting, relative interest and legal costs, equating to £135,000.
The case's judge said: "This is a case where Washington Green have dishonestly appropriated this particular painting.
"They knew full well that it had not been lost or stolen by third parties because it had in fact been procured by Washington Green as its own property and handled or disposed of as such," according to the Daily Mail.
An appeal has since been launched and a verdict is expected later this year.
