ROME –
A special ceremony at the Canadian Embassy in Rome marked the successful recovery of an iconic portrait of Winston Churchill after a two-year search by Ottawa police.
Canada’s Ambassador to Italy Elissa Golberg hosted the event. The two primary Ottawa police detectives who investigated the heist were also present, along with the general manager of the Chateau Laurier, where the portrait was stolen, and Italian Carabinieri police who assisted in the international search.
At the ceremony, which lasted about a half hour, the commander of the Carabinieri, Italy’s national military police force, and the ambassador signed documents authorizing the transfer of art into Canadian hands.
“Canada believes strongly that the repatriation of works of art is crucial to preserving cultural heritage and fostering historical justice,” said Ambassador Golberg at the ceremony.
The photograph, called “The Roaring Lion,” captures the former British prime minister glowering …