Famous religious
painting stolen
A Renaissance altarpiece worth NOK 20 million was stolen from the Larvik Church in Vestfold County in the early hours of Sunday morning. The Police suspect the theft was commissioned and carried out by professionals.
The painting by Lucas Cranach (1472-1553), a personal friend of Martin Luther, has hung in the Larvik Church for 330 years.
The altar piece measures 1m by 1m, is titled "Let the small children come to me", and was painted 450 years ago.
Police around the world have been informed about the theft of the painting. Norwegian police say it may already have been brought out of the country.
The thieves had just put a ladder up to a window, broken it and entered the 350-year old church. Afterwards they apparently left by car.
The National Authority for the Investigation of Economic Crime (OKOKRIM) has earlier warned against theft of religious art in Norway, Vaart Land reports. The agency says security in Norwegian churches is poor.
Source: NRK/Vaart Land
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